Nina Salerno

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. The fact that he stole the gun prior, there was no reason for the stealing of the gun otherwise.

Yes. The fact that he stole the gun prior, there was no reason for the stealing of the gun otherwise.

Then there was a sound like he fell. And it was a very distinct sound of metal hitting metal.

Then there was a sound like he fell. And it was a very distinct sound of metal hitting metal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We all thought 17 years to life meant life, that they would never let him out.

We all thought 17 years to life meant life, that they would never let him out.

If you can't look at someone in the face and say you're sorry, then you know damn well you're sorry.

If you can't look at someone in the face and say you're sorry, then you know damn well you're sorry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I mean, absolute hero. And it's just so significant to see how she supports people and just really fights for what's right.

I mean, absolute hero. And it's just so significant to see how she supports people and just really fights for what's right.

He still has yet to admit to the facts of the crime.

He still has yet to admit to the facts of the crime.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oh, you did a great job, Mama. I'm very proud of you.

Oh, you did a great job, Mama. I'm very proud of you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

a middle-class American family that valued their faith, valued family, valued community as well.

a middle-class American family that valued their faith, valued family, valued community as well.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What was it? You sometimes are close to people, you don't always see little signs or you ignore them.

What was it? You sometimes are close to people, you don't always see little signs or you ignore them.

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.

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.

That's really the first time I heard a lot of panic in her voice because that just caught her off guard.

That's really the first time I heard a lot of panic in her voice because that just caught her off guard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. The fact that he stole the gun prior, there was no reason for the stealing of the gun otherwise.

Then there was a sound like he fell. And it was a very distinct sound of metal hitting metal.

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.

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.

We all thought 17 years to life meant life, that they would never let him out.

If you can't look at someone in the face and say you're sorry, then you know damn well you're sorry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I mean, absolute hero. And it's just so significant to see how she supports people and just really fights for what's right.

He still has yet to admit to the facts of the crime.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oh, you did a great job, Mama. I'm very proud of you.

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.

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.

a middle-class American family that valued their faith, valued family, valued community as well.

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.

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.

What was it? You sometimes are close to people, you don't always see little signs or you ignore them.

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.

That's really the first time I heard a lot of panic in her voice because that just caught her off guard.

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.