Steven Padilla, 51, accused of the Valentine’s Day murder of his stepson, 20-year-old Filipe Sanchez, as well as the attempted murder of his wife’s boyfriend, sat in front of judge Steve Crandall during a preliminary hearing on May 4. The judge heard the gruesome details provided by SLO County Sheriff investigators that detailed the lovers’ triangle that led to the estranged husband’s jealous rampage.
 
J.D. Cronin, the lead investigator on the case, and detective Erik Twisselman recounted their interviews with Mary Padilla and Norm Hennessey: though the Padillas had been married for five and a half years, they separated shortly after Sanchez moved in with the couple due to conflicts between Padilla and his stepson. On Feb. 11, Steve Padilla’s birthday, Mary Padilla went looking for her husband. She found him at the Merrimaker bar in Los Osos. The couple discussed reconciliation and spent an intimate evening together.
 
On Feb. 13, Steve Padilla ran into his wife and her boyfriend Norm Hennessey playing pool at the Sweet Springs Saloon in Los Osos. Steve Padilla reportedly told Mary Padilla, “You will cry soon, but not for me.� The men entered into a heated argument that ended with Hennessey asking Steve Padilla, “Is that a threat?� Steve Padilla answered, “It’s a promise.�
 
Shortly after 6 p.m. on Feb. 14, Steve allegedly opened fire on Hennessey as he walked to his car on the 1,200 block of Fifth Street in Baywood Park. A bullet tore through Hennessey’s cheek, exiting behind his right ear. Another bullet struck his shoulder. Hennessey charged at Padilla, than turned and fled. Padilla continued his assault on Hennessey, shooting him in the left hand and the back.
 
A few blocks away, Sanchez was watching TV at the apartment he shared with his mother on Tenth Street in Los Osos. Hennessey’s son-in-law called to warn them that Steven Padilla had shot Hennessey and was headed their way. Sanchez opened the door to watch for his stepfather. He shut the door as Steven Padilla approached. His mother asked him to lock the door. But Steven Padilla knocked and Filipe opened the door. He died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Hennessey is still recovering from his injuries.  
 
Beverly Devault was processing inmates at the SLO County jail on Valentine’s Day when approached by a “calm and relaxed� Steven Padilla. “He said he needed to turn himself in,� Devault says. “When I couldn’t find a warrant he said, ‘I shot two people.’�
 
Padilla is being held without bail at County Jail. He is facing two consecutive life sentences.