It’s been over a decade since that frantic 911 call in Worcester, but for anyone following the trial, the Stephanie Fernandes release date is the only number that matters now. If you've spent any time on true crime forums or watched the "48 Hours" special, you know this case isn't a simple "who done it." It was always a "why did it happen."
The short version? Stephanie Fernandes was sentenced in October 2022. The judge handed down a state prison term of 8 to 10 years.
If you do the math—and accounting for the years she spent under house arrest and the complex ways Massachusetts calculates "good time" credit—her timeline is tighter than it looks. Most legal experts tracking the case expect her to be eligible for parole or outright release sometime between 2028 and 2030.
But honestly, the calendar is only half the story.
The Long Road to a Verdict
You've gotta remember how long this took to even get to a courtroom. Andrew Wagner died in May 2014. The trial didn't start until June 2022. That is an eternity in the legal world. Eight years of limbo.
🔗 Read more: Nate Silver Trump Approval Rating: Why the 2026 Numbers Look So Different
During that time, Stephanie wasn't exactly "free," but she wasn't in a cell either. She was on house arrest with a GPS monitor. Usually, when someone is finally sentenced, they want "credit for time served." However, in Massachusetts, house arrest doesn't always count toward your final prison sentence the same way jail time does. That’s a huge reason why her Stephanie Fernandes release date feels so far away for her family.
Why Voluntary Manslaughter?
A lot of people were shocked she wasn't convicted of first-degree murder. The prosecution painted her as an aggressor with a "history of explosive rage." They brought in experts like Dr. David Adams to testify that she didn't fit the typical profile of a domestic violence victim.
On the flip side, Stephanie’s defense was built entirely on self-defense. She claimed Andrew pinned her to the couch and tried to choke her. She grabbed a kitchen knife to scare him off, and in the struggle, he was stabbed in the neck.
The jury ended up in the middle. They didn't think it was cold-blooded murder, but they didn't think it was "justified" self-defense either. They landed on voluntary manslaughter. Essentially, they believed she intended to use the force, but under "sudden passion" or "excessive force in self-defense."
💡 You might also like: Weather Forecast Lockport NY: Why Today’s Snow Isn’t Just Hype
The Appeal That Changed Nothing
Just recently, in early 2025, the Massachusetts Court of Appeals took another look at the case. Stephanie’s team argued that the judge messed up by not giving the jury specific instructions on "accidental" killing.
They also went after the expert testimony from Dr. Adams. They basically said it wasn't fair to let an expert tell the jury she wasn't a victim of abuse.
The court didn't buy it. They affirmed the conviction. This means the 8-to-10-year clock is officially the reality. No new trial. No early exit based on a legal technicality.
Where is she now?
Currently, Stephanie is serving her time in the Massachusetts Department of Correction system. For her daughter, Angelina, who was just 11 when this happened and is now a grown woman studying forensic psychology, the wait is agonizing.
📖 Related: Economics Related News Articles: What the 2026 Headlines Actually Mean for Your Wallet
Angelina has been vocal about wanting to reunite with her mom. She told reporters that by the time her mom is out, she’ll be nearly 30. That’s a lot of missed birthdays and milestones.
What to Keep an Eye On
If you are tracking the Stephanie Fernandes release date, here are the specific factors that will move the needle:
- Parole Eligibility: In Massachusetts, inmates are typically eligible for parole after serving the "minimum" portion of their sentence. For Stephanie, that's the 8-year mark.
- Good Conduct Credits: Depending on the programs she completes in prison, she could shave some time off the tail end of that 10-year max.
- Work Release: As she nears the end of her sentence, she may be moved to a lower-security facility or a pre-release center.
The legal battle is over. Now, it's just a matter of the calendar. The most likely scenario sees Stephanie Fernandes returning home in late 2029, though a successful parole hearing could see her out as early as late 2028.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
For those looking for official updates, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) inmate search is the most reliable tool, though it often only lists the "maximum" release date. Monitoring the Massachusetts Parole Board's monthly hearing lists starting in late 2027 will be the first real sign of her potential return to the community.