Conviction: Man found guilty of 2007 Stevenson Ranch killing

Michael Dean Stephens, a 21-year-old white man, was convicted Tuesday in the 2007 Stevenson Ranch death of Joshua Pipho.

Stephens was found guilty on one count of second-degree murder; however, the jury was unable to come to a decision on an attempted murder charge involving a second victim who was stabbed more than a dozen times but survived.

After the jury announced that it was deadlocked on the second charge, Judge Daniel Feldstern declared a mistrial. A decision on whether to retry the attempted murder count is expected to be announced later.

Pipho was among a group of young men who got into a fight with another group at a condominium complex on Nov. 24, 2007. The dispute "got out of hand," said Sheriff's Lt. Dan Rosenberg. About 10 to 15 people were involved in the melee, which culminated with Pipho's killing.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Sedgwick argued in court that Pipho, a 20-year-old white man, was stabbed and then run over by a car driven by Stephens.

His sentencing is scheduled Dec. 2 at North Valley Superior Court. He faces up to 17 years to life in prison.

-- Sarah Ardalani