In rare move, Livermore man agrees to life sentence in girlfriend’s murder

LIVERMORE — In a rare move, a Livermore man agreed to plead no contest to a murder charge, without any guarantee he’ll ever be freed from prison, court records show.

Gregory Stephens, 39, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the September 2020 shooting death of 51-year-old Kellie J. Henry, who authorities say was Stephens’ girlfriend. Stephens was formally sentenced earlier this month to 15 years to life.

Stephens shot Henry during an argument at a home on the 9200 block of Tesla Road. Police were informed of the incident by family members who called authorities saying Stephens called them and confessed to shooting Henry and said he was going to take his own life, according to the sheriff’s office.

Stephens was arrested after a roughly two-hour standoff with police outside the home. They recovered the gun and he confessed later that day, according to a police probable-cause statement.

Stephens remains in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and has not yet been transferred to state prison to begin serving the sentence. Under the terms, he will be eligible for parole in 15 years but must first convince parole boards he is suitable for release.