Loma Rica man pleads no contest to stabbing aunt's boyfriend

A Loma Rica man pleaded no contest on Friday to stabbing his aunt's boyfriend last month on Fruitland Road.

Gary L. Stephens Jr. faces up to four years in custody when he is sentenced in Yuba County Superior Court. However, a sentencing date was not set on Friday, authorities said.

Stephens, 23, may request some type of behavioral treatment, possibly anger management classes, during a hearing March 25, according to court records.

Yuba County sheriff's deputies arrested Stephens on Feb. 21 at a home in the 4000 block of Fruitland.

Investigators said Stephens became agitated with a family member during a phone call around 12:30 p.m. and began acting "aggressively" toward other relatives after the conversation ended.

Marvin Browning, 56, intervened in the argument and the two men struggled for a short time, the Sheriff's Department said.

During the scuffle, investigators said, Stephens stabbed Browning in the upper body once with a 3-inch folding knife. The injury was not life-threatening.

In exchange for Friday's plea, prosecutors dismissed a misdemeanor vandalism case, authorities said.

Stephens has been on probation since 2010 when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge, according to court records.

Stephens remains in custody at the Yuba County Jail.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.