EXCLUSIVE: Father of man accused of killing Uber driver speaks with Channel 9

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — James Stevens is one of two men charged with the murder of Uber driver Marlo Medina-Chevez in May.

Medina-Chevez was a Charlotte Uber driver who left for work one night in May and didn’t return home.

(Marlo Medina-Chevez)

A missing person report was issued.

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Police said Stevens and Diontray Adams murdered Medina-Chevez and dumped his body, severely beaten and bound, in South Carolina before driving his car to Maryland.

"It's emotional,” John Stevens, James Stevens’ father, told Channel 9. “I don't know what to do with these emotions because I don't know what happened. Why did this happen? What, how did you come to this decision to do something like this?  This was a good man. He lost his life doing something he was trying to provide for his family."

(James Stevens, Diontray Adams)

John Stevens, gave Channel 9 an exclusive interview Sunday, moments after visiting his son in jail for the first time.

"He said, 'Dad ... this is not how you raised me,'" Stevens said.

Stevens told Channel 9 he feels shock, confusion and heartache over the charges against his son.

"You made your own decision, you had a choice,” Stevens said about his son. "This is not the kid that I raised, this is not that kid.”

Stevens said his son was not raised this way, and while he’s disappointed, he said that he can’t imagine what the family of Medina-Chevez is going through.

"My heart, my soul, my mind goes out to this family because this is a good man,” John Stevens said. “They lost a husband, dad."

Stevens said his son is bright and full of potential, but thinks he was surrounding himself with the wrong crowd.

"I still love him, but my heart goes out to this family because the structure of their family is forever fractured,” Stevens said.

Stevens said that he hopes to meet face-to-face with the Medina-Chevez family one day, and hopes his son will do the right thing and reach out to them.

In October, prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty for Stevens. Channel 9 learned the victim's family asked prosecutors not to pursue the death penalty in the case.

From: Thompson, Adam (CMG-Charlotte) Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2017 6:00 PM To: Thompson, Adam (CMG-Charlotte)

James Stevens is one of two men charged with the murder of Uber driver Marlo Medina-Chevez in May.

Medina-Chevez was a Charlotte Uber driver who left for work one night in May and didn’t return home.

(Marlo Medina-Chevez)

A missing person report was issued.

PAST COVERAGE

• Friends, family to say goodbye to slain Charlotte Uber driver
• Uber driver worked to raise money for family vacation
• Friends hand out fliers as search of missing Uber driver continues
• [PHOTOS: CMPD conducting search for missing Uber driver in Rock Hill]
• Men charged in case of slain Uber driver extradited to Charlotte
• Police: Body found believed to be that of Uber driver
• Warrants issued for 2 men in North Carolina man's death
• North Carolina police: Missing Uber driver now homicide case

Police said Stevens and Diontray Adams murdered Medina-Chevez and dumped his body, severely beaten and bound, in South Carolina before driving his car to Maryland.

"It's emotional,” John Stevens, James Stevens’ father, told Channel 9. “I don't know what to do with these emotions because I don't know what happened. Why did this happen? What, how did you come to this decision to do something like this?  This was a good man. He lost his life doing something he was trying to provide for his family."

(James Stevens, Diontray Adams)

John Stevens, gave Channel 9 an exclusive interview Sunday, moments after visiting his son in jail for the first time.

"He said, 'Dad ... this is not how you raised me,'" Stevens said.

Stevens told Channel 9 he feels shock, confusion and heartache over the charges against his son.

"You made your own decision, you had a choice,” Stevens said about his son. "This is not the kid that I raised, this is not that kid.”

Stevens said his son was not raised this way, and while he’s disappointed, he said that he can’t imagine what the family of Medina-Chevez is going through.

"My heart, my soul, my mind goes out to this family because this is a good man,” John Stevens said. “They lost a husband, dad."

Stevens said his son is bright and full of potential, but thinks he was surrounding himself with the wrong crowd.

"I still love him, but my heart goes out to this family because the structure of their family is forever fractured,” Stevens said.

Stevens said that he hopes to meet face-to-face with the Medina-Chevez family one day, and hopes his son will do the right thing and reach out to them.

In October, prosecutors said they will not seek the death penalty for Stevens. Channel 9 learned the victim's family asked prosecutors not to pursue the death penalty in the case.

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