Nina Salerno
Appearances
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I remember sitting up in the window, watching them walk him out in handcuffs and putting him in the patrol car. My whole world got taken from me. And really, the flash of a gun. I mean, everything was gone.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
In 1990, after just 10 years, Stephen Burns came up for parole. My parents, my sister Regina, myself, and friends and family traveled to Vacaville State Prison to protest his release.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I mean, I never felt that kind of hurt. I lost my entire family because they fell apart. It was painful enough that my sister had been murdered, but the person that I viewed as a brother and loved betrayed me by taking her life.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
Yes. The fact that he stole the gun prior, there was no reason for the stealing of the gun otherwise.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
Then there was a sound like he fell. And it was a very distinct sound of metal hitting metal.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I think if I had opened the window and he got in, there'd be three dead girls. You think he had a gun with him then? Absolutely.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
What was that like on the sand? Ugh. I think the best word was just awful. I was in a courtroom. The only person I knew in the courtroom was the guy that had murdered my sister.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
We all thought 17 years to life meant life, that they would never let him out.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
If you can't look at someone in the face and say you're sorry, then you know damn well you're sorry.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
46 years since Katina's death has not diminished one ounce of that pain. Where are we going? We are heading to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
Thank you for the strength that you impart on all of us and as we face this next parole hearing. We all said we would be back, and we've continued to be back 12 times. Not just because he murdered Katina, but because he is a dangerous murderer that will kill or harm again. And that's just the bottom line.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I believed, like my sister, so many victims are either not heard, afraid to be heard, or just don't understand the magnitude of what's happening to them.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
Being able to be out in the mountains or work on a cattle ranch or ride my horses and have that time is just, it's who I am.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I mean, absolute hero. And it's just so significant to see how she supports people and just really fights for what's right.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
The shooting of the gun murdered my sister. But the behaviors and the need for his power and control and the obsessiveness is what makes him dangerous.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
He was relentless towards her because she would not allow him into a class. He focused on her and was not going to stop till he got what he wanted.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
It's important that they understand that she was a beautiful human being. Her dog was very important to her, and her life was taken for no reason.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
And in here, I keep everything from the trial to all those subsequent parole hearings. Nina, the prosecutor, is leaving nothing to chance. Here's transcripts from the 2010 hearing.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
We got a five-year denial, Dad, so I'm still holding strong to my promise to you. It was Katina's 64th birthday. Katina, it's the best birthday present I think we can give you is that denial. So thank you for watching over mom and watching over everyone.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I don't think it can be described in words what it's like to watch your mom collapse crying. My dad, very, very strong man, but you could tell he was shaken to the core.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
a middle-class American family that valued their faith, valued family, valued community as well.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I think the best way to describe Katina is she is that person every person should meet in their life. She just brought an air of kindness.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
I love Steve. I idolized him. He was a great athlete. He coached my team, so he would help me with my shot. And he took the time to do that.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
What was it? You sometimes are close to people, you don't always see little signs or you ignore them.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
My dad passed away in 2013. His last words to me were, whatever it takes, you protect your mom and you fight to keep Steve in prison.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
That's really the first time I heard a lot of panic in her voice because that just caught her off guard.
48 Hours
The Boy Across the Street
with the flash of a gun. My whole world just got turned upside down. Stephen Burns was convicted of murdering Katina Salerno in 1979. He just looks dangerous. It's like a killer face. If you looked at his eyes, there is nothing behind him. He has no soul. My name is Nina Salerno, and I am the sister of Katina. Stephen Burns was sentenced to 17 years to life.