Pa. State Superior Court Upholds Sentence of RS Woman's Killer

A Woodbury man who was originally sentenced to life in prison for his part in a 2015 murder but was resentenced twice since then after the U.S. Supreme Court decided life without parole for juvenile offenders was unconstitutional, had his most recent sentence of 50 years to life upheld by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Deauntay D. Moye, now 23, was 16 years old when he and an accomplice, Ryan Hardwick, then 15 of Martinsburg, shot and killed 21-year-old Stephanie Waters of Roaring Spring in a Woodbury parking lot.

Moye and Hardwick had arranged to meet Waters' boyfriend to purchase marijuana, but Waters showed up instead. Moye shot Waters twice and Hardwick shot Waters' dog.

Moye and Hardwick then took Waters' car, with her body in the back seat, to Altoona before abandoning it in New Enterprise where it was found days later.

Moye pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2016 and was sentenced in Bedford County court to life without parole. However, the Pennsylvania Superior Court ordered Moye's case back to the county court for resentencing, citing a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles under the age of 18, unless it can be proven they are unable to be rehabilitated, were unconstitutional.

This ruling sent thousands of cases, some decades old, back to the lower courts for resentencing.

Moye was brought back to Bedford County on Dec. 20, 2018, where Judge Travis Livengood resentenced him to life without parole. In resentencing Moye, Livengood found him incapable of being rehabilitated, citing Moye's criminal past and previous failed attempts at rehabilitation.

Moye appealed the second sentence and in Nov. 2019, the Pennsylvania Superior Court again ordered his case back to Bedford County for another resentencing.

Moye appeared in Bedford County court on Nov. 17, 2020, and was resentenced to 50 years to life. He will be eligible for parole at the age of 66.Moye again appealed his sentence contending the 50 years to life was a "de facto" life sentence.

On Nov. 19, 2021, the Superior Court upheld the 50-year minimum sentence imposed on Moye. In her written opinion, Judge Anne E. Lazarus agreed with the sentencing judge that it is "at least plausible" that Moye could survive until the minimum release date.

The Superior Court said the sentencing judge considered the impact Moye's crime had on the community, the nature of the crime and the safety of the community.

The Superior Court ruling also agreed with the lower court that Moye's past crimes and other attempts to rehabilitate him warranted the long sentence.

"Moye's rehabilitation needs are extensive, the court considered the fact that Moye committed other violent acts, also at a very young age."

The Superior Court's ruling may not be the final one in Moye's case. He can now ask the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to review his sentence.

Hardwick, Moye's accomplice in the murder, who was 15 when he admitted to his role in the killing, was originally sentenced to 60-years to life. Hardwick argued the sentence amounted to a "de facto" life sentence and the Pennsylvania Superior Court agreed, sending the case back to Bedford County.

In February 2021, Hardwick was resentenced to 40-years to life. He is currently incarcerated at SCI Forest, Marienville, Pa.

Moye is being housed at SCI Alobion, Erie County.