Stephon Dubose, charged with the murder of Duke University graduate student Angela Risi and the attempted murder of her roommate, Anna Semmes, accepted a plea deal last week that will avoid the possibility of life in prison.
Court documents show the agreement allows Dubose to admit to second-degree murder and attempted murder, with a prison sentence ranging from 35 to 44 years.
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WRAL News previously reported on the October 2023 shooting, and the subsequent outpouring of support and fond memories of Risi. She was in her second year working toward a Master of Fine Arts at Duke University.
Risi's father, Matteo Risi, told WRAL News his family is satisfied with the outcome of the case.
"The plea deal that was offered will avoid a trial," he said. "And 35 years is acceptable to [my wife] and I. Mainly because we won't be around when he gets out of prison."
Matteo Risi says in the latest court hearing, family finally learned a motive for the crimes.
"The District Attorney explained that he had wanted an exclusive relationship with Angela," he said. "She didn't want that. She left his car, [and] went into her house. He broke in, then chased her to the back of the house ... fired 11 rounds, shot her eight times, with a handgun, 9-millimeter handgun. And then, even more amazing, is he then burst into the bedroom of Angela's roommate and shot her three times. She survived but is permanently disabled."
Risi says while he will never forgive Dubose, he instead focuses his memories and attention on his daughter.
"She was a really wonderful person," he said. "Very bright, very smart, always fun...At her celebration of life, there were well over 200 people who attended and many more who wanted to come as well."
Court records indicate there will be another hearing in the case in February. Risi says that is when the judge is expected to approve the plea deal.
Risi will fly out from California to be there and will speak to the court about the family's loss.
"Our biggest fear is that the memory of our daughter will fade with time," he said. "Not with us. But, you know, as time passes, with the world. She was an extraordinary young woman. [She] loved life. And we miss her very much."