David Francis Hoffman

David Francis Hoffman (born 1946) is an American criminal known for the brutal murder and dismemberment of his wife, Carol Stebbins, in 1980. The murder occurred after the relationship between the married couple began to deteriorate and the introduction of Hoffman's mother, Helen Ulvinen, into their home. Hoffman was found guilty of murder by the first degree under the pre-1990 Minnesota law, and given a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 17 years. Hoffman's mother was also found guilty of the same crime but the decision was overturned a year later in the Minnesota Supreme Court

Origins

David Francis Hoffmann was born in 1946 and attended North High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Whilst living in West Saint Paul, Minnesota, Hoffman eventually met his wife Carol Stebbins; the pair had two daughters, the first being born in 1971 and the second in 1977. He also made clear the part that his mother had played in the murder and the ensuing cover-up. Hoffman was charged with first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Action against Helen Ulvinen

Ulvinen was also charged with first degree murder, as under Minnesota law, criminal liability can rest on someone who "intentionally aids, advises, hires, councils or conspires with or otherwise procures" to commit a crime. Upon appealing this decision on 17 December 1981, it was presented that despite the known hatred between Ulvinen and Carrol Stebbins, Ulvinen played no real part in the encouragement, planning or procedure of Hoffman's murder. As such, the court saw to discharge her for the crime of murder by the first degree, instead suggesting that perhaps manslaughter may be more appropriate. However, she was never tried as such.

Attempted parole and release date

Due to the pre-1990 Minnesota law under which Hoffman was sentenced, David Hoffman was required to spend a minimum 17 years of his 30-year sentence without parole.

Hoffman again applied for parole in 2000 and was once again rejected due to his evident lack of rehabilitation. This attempt saw a heavy backlash from Stebbins’ family, insinuating that Hoffman still felt no remorse, and that the family was not ready for him to be released back into society.

Under the details of his release, Hoffman was to spend 6 months at the Willow River/Moose Lake correctional facility in Minnesota. He would spend 6 months in this medium security facility as part of intensive regimen of education in preparation for release. This was to such an extent that Stebbins’ mother, Phyllis Stebbins, contacted police regarding her personal protection and safety, as she believed that when Hoffman was released, he would target her as the figurehead of the movement trying to keep him incarcerated.

The family felt the release is extremely unjust, with father Rodger Stebbins stating that "when he [Hoffman] got sentenced to life, that's what it should mean. Life. No parole. No nothing. He should not have walked a free man." Stebbins' niece, Charity Larsen, has raised similar issues, saying that "it shouldn't even be an issue. He shouldn't have a second chance. She never got a second chance."

In light of their concern, Stebbins' family have continued to attempt further action to ensure that Hoffman is returned to prison. Before his 5th parole hearing in 2016, Carol's niece Jaquelin Stebbins created a petition directed towards the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections Parole Board, stating that the lack of remorse shown by Hoffman at previous parole hearings and in general should be enough to warrant his continued incarceration. The petition gained 578 signatures before the parole meeting but eventually failed as Hoffman was granted his release in April 2018.

The Stebbins family were also not told any details of his release, including where his parole officer resided or his whereabouts of living upon release which, whilst standard procedure, the family still found worrying.