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McClelland family’s guns to be auctioned

3 min read
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Unmarked police cars surround the home of Evelyn Stepko, who was found stabbed to death in July 2011.

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David James McClelland and Diane McClelland

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David Allen McClelland is escorted to Washington County Courthouse, where he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 92-year-old Evelyn Stepko. McClelland later died in prison.

Three dozen guns, a car and numerous other items owned by the three people who conspired to rob and kill 92-year-old Evelyn Stepko will be auctioned at a sheriff’s sale later this month to help pay restitution to the victim’s estate.

State police confiscated the items owned by David A. McClelland, David J. “D.J.” McClelland and Diane McClelland when the three were arrested in the July 2011 killing of their California neighbor after robbing her of cash for years to fuel their gambling habits.

The Westmoreland County sheriff will conduct the auction at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Delmont fire hall because the evidence was stored at the state police barracks in Belle Vernon, leaving that county with jurisdiction over the items.

Former Washington County Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca last April ordered the liquidation of any of their possessions in order to generate cash to pay $215,820 in restitution to Stepko’s estate. Rick Mudrick, who is the lawyer representing Donna Lee, the executor of Stepko’s estate, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Sheriff Jonathan Held called it “unusual” for 36 guns, which include semi-automatic pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns, to be sold from one family at an auction.

“As far as weapons go, this is unusual to have such a high number for a sheriff’s sale such as this,” Held said.

A 2007 Pontiac G6 sedan will also be sold, although it was not known what would happen to the other two vehicles owned by the McClellands, a 2009 Lincoln Navigator and 2002 Cadillac STS, that O’Dell Seneca also ordered to be liquidated.

Other items to be sold include six knives, a laptop computer, digital camera and magazine clips.

The sheriff’s department also is in possession of more than $34,000 worth of loose change and bills confiscated from the McClellands by state police during the investigation. That money will be turned over to Stepko’s estate following the sheriff’s sale of the other items.

David A. McClelland admitted to stabbing Stepko to death and pleaded guilty in October 2012 to first-degree murder. He received a life sentence without parole and died in a state prison in Greene County last May.

His son, D.J. McClelland, a former part-time police officer, was convicted in April 2013 of second-degree murder, receiving stolen property, dealing in unlawful proceeds of criminal activity and conspiracy. He also received a life sentence.

David A. McClelland’s wife, Diane McClelland, was convicted in March 2013 of conspiracy and receiving stolen property in connection with the burglaries and thefts preceding Stepko’s death, and was sentenced to 24½ to 49 years. She is appealing her conviction.

The McClellands’ School Street home in California Borough is expected to be sold at an auction conducted by the Washington County sheriff’s office.

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