The short answer is yes. Steve DeMocker is still in jail, and according to the Arizona Department of Corrections, he isn't going anywhere. He is currently serving a "natural life" sentence, which in the state of Arizona means exactly what it sounds like: life without the possibility of parole.
It has been over fifteen years since the brutal death of Carol Kennedy in the hills of Prescott, Arizona. Yet, the name Steve DeMocker still sparks heated debates in local coffee shops and true crime forums. You've probably seen the Dateline or 48 Hours episodes. They paint a picture of a high-flying stockbroker who allegedly traded his tailored suits for a murder weapon—a golf club that, interestingly, was never actually found.
Honestly, the case is a tangled web of circumstantial evidence, missing 7-woods, and a "perfect" life that was secretly falling apart. If you're looking for the latest on where he is and why people are still talking about his innocence, here is the full breakdown.
Where Is Steve DeMocker Now?
As of early 2026, Steven Carroll DeMocker remains incarcerated within the Arizona State Prison system. He was sentenced back in 2014 to natural life plus an additional 10 years for related charges like tampering with evidence.
Most people don't realize that DeMocker’s legal battle didn't end with the verdict. He has spent the last decade fighting from behind bars. His defense team has filed multiple petitions for post-conviction relief. The most recent major activity occurred around 2021 when the Arizona Court of Appeals reviewed his case again.
They denied his request for relief.
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The court basically said the original trial, despite being heavily built on circumstantial evidence, was legally sound. For DeMocker, this was a massive blow. At 71 years old, the reality of dying in prison is no longer a theoretical fear; it’s his current trajectory. He continues to maintain his innocence, often through his daughters and a small circle of supporters who believe the real killer is still out there.
Why the DeMocker Case Still Divides People
Is Steve DeMocker still in jail because he's a cold-blooded killer, or is he a victim of a "tunnel vision" investigation? That's the question that keeps this case alive in the public consciousness.
The prosecution's narrative was simple: DeMocker was a man drowning in debt. He was reportedly paying $6,000 a month in alimony and was staring down the barrel of a $750,000 life insurance policy. They argued he biked to Carol’s home, bludgeoned her with a golf club while she was on the phone with her mother, and سپس vanished back into his life as a wealthy financial advisor.
But look at the other side for a second.
- No Murder Weapon: The famous "missing 7-wood" was never recovered.
- No DNA: There was no physical evidence—no blood, no DNA, no fingerprints—linking him to the interior of the crime scene.
- The Alternative Suspect: The defense pointed toward Jim Knapp, a man who lived on Carol's property. Knapp has since passed away, but DeMocker’s supporters still claim he was the more likely culprit.
It's this lack of "smoking gun" evidence that makes people wonder if the right man is behind bars. In Arizona, however, circumstantial evidence carries the same weight as direct evidence. The jury saw the shoe prints, the bicycle tracks, and the motive, and they decided it was enough.
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Life Inside and the Long Road of Appeals
Prison life for a former $500,000-a-year stockbroker is a far cry from the Prescott trails he used to ride. DeMocker has spent years in higher-security facilities due to the nature of his conviction.
You might think that after twelve years, a prisoner would give up. Not Steve. His case is a prime example of how the American legal system allows for a "slow burn" of appeals. Every few years, a new petition is filed. Sometimes it’s about "newly discovered evidence," other times it’s about "ineffective assistance of counsel."
In 2025, several legal podcasts revisited the trial, highlighting how the first trial actually ended in a mistrial because DeMocker’s entire defense team quit. They cited a conflict of interest that was never fully explained to the public. It’s these weird, jagged edges of the story that prevent it from being a "closed book" in the eyes of the community.
Important Milestones in the DeMocker Timeline:
- July 2008: Carol Kennedy is murdered in her Prescott home.
- October 2008: Steve DeMocker is arrested at his UBS office.
- 2010: The first trial ends in a mistrial after the defense team resigns.
- October 2013: A second jury finds him guilty of first-degree murder.
- January 2014: Sentenced to natural life in prison.
- 2017 & 2021: Major appeals are denied by the Arizona Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
The Reality of "Natural Life"
In many states, a life sentence comes with a chance of parole after 25 or 30 years. Arizona changed its laws years ago to make "natural life" a literal sentence.
Unless a governor grants clemency or a court finds a massive constitutional error in his trial, Steve DeMocker will not be released. He is aging. His health has been a topic of concern in various inmate reports over the years, which is common for prisoners entering their 70s.
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Despite the passage of time, the Prescott community remains somewhat scarred by the event. It wasn't just a murder; it was the collapse of a prominent family. The daughters were put in the impossible position of mourning their mother while their father was accused of her death. Even today, they remain some of his most vocal advocates.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you're interested in the nuances of the DeMocker case or similar legal battles, there are a few things you can do to stay informed:
- Check the ADCRR Portal: The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry has a public search tool. You can search for "Steven DeMocker" to see his current housing location and any updates to his status.
- Review Court Records: The Yavapai County Superior Court holds the transcripts. While not all are online, major rulings from the Arizona Court of Appeals are public record and provide the most factual "look" at why his appeals keep failing.
- Listen to the "Grand Canyon Law Group" Analysis: Recent episodes from legal experts in Arizona provide a modern look at the circumstantial evidence rules that kept DeMocker in jail.
The story of Steve DeMocker is a reminder that in the eyes of the law, "beyond a reasonable doubt" doesn't mean "beyond all doubt." While he sits in a cell today, the shadow of that missing golf club still hangs over Prescott.
To understand the full scope of the Arizona legal system and how these sentences are managed, you can look into the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding first-degree murder sentencing. This provides clarity on why parole is not an option for those under a "natural life" designation.