SAN ANTONIO — In a rare move, Bexar County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a man accused of capital murder and attempted murder.
Stephen Clare allegedly carried out the horrific attack last April.
Police said Clare shot his ex-wife, Mariah Gardner, several times and then stabbed his two young daughters. 11-month-old Willow Clare later died from her injuries.
“My children and I are punished every single day for a decision we never even made,” said Gardner. “I live with PTSD every single day, I have flashbacks. Certain sights, smells and sounds completely put me over the edge. My children now have to deal with their memories and not being able to trust people. It has affected my parents; they saw me on a ventilator and my children in the hospital.”
Gardner said it’s Clare’s turn. That’s why she pushed the Bexar County District Attorney's Office for the maximum punishment.
“It’s the rehabilitation concept,” said Gardner. “Is he able to change? Do I think he is ever going to be remorseful? The answer is no.”
Clare showed little emotion in court this week as he learned what his fate will be if convicted.
Gardner has since become a voice for family violence survivors. Dozens of people participated in the ‘Walk for Willow’ in September, and Gardner has taken her story to the White House. More than 56,000 people across the world are now following Gardner’s journey on social media.
“Instead of saying, ‘Oh, why didn’t she walk away?’ Well maybe the predator should walk away and get himself help,” said Gardner. “Why should she have to uproot her children and hide? I have been very vocal about, ‘How do we hold these perpetrators accountable.’ I think people really appreciate that perspective.”
Since Joe Gonzales took office in 2019, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office has reportedly considered more than 130 instances where a person is eligible for capital punishment. Prosecutors have pursued the death penalty in three cases, including this one.
“Bexar County just told every victim, ‘We hear you, we see you, and this will not be tolerated.’ If you want to hurt your family, these are the consequences you are facing,” Gardner said.
Clare’s attorney did not respond to our request for comment.