Stefan M. Rowe, 26, was shot and killed on the west side of Saginaw around 10:20 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020. Officers found him near 16th and Johnson streets with at least one gunshot wound; he died after efforts to save him.

Within days investigators identified a person of interest and the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office issued a 10-count felony warrant for Joaquin Vasta Thomas, 28, charging open murder, conspiracy to commit murder and eight firearm-related counts. Thomas was described as armed and dangerous while authorities sought his whereabouts.

The case proceeded to trial in October 2022 before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson. After three days of testimony and about three hours of jury deliberation, Thomas was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and two counts of felony firearm; he was acquitted of first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In December 2022 Judge Jackson sentenced Thomas to a term that will require many years in prison, including consecutive two-year terms for the felony firearm convictions.

Did anyone in Saginaw know Stefan or see activity around 16th and Johnson that night?