James Franklin Stepp III, a 48-year-old white male from Hendersonville, NC, tragically lost his life on July 3, 2019. Stepp, affectionately known as "Jim" or "Pup," was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and a member of Living Water Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and riding his Harley Davidson. His sudden death left a void in the lives of his family and friends, who remember him for his unwavering love and dedication to his son, James Franklin Stepp IV, and
his extended family.
The circumstances surrounding Stepp's death were contentious and led to significant legal proceedings. On the day of his death, Stepp was involved in an altercation with Greg Carl Spinella, a 36-year-old local businessman. The incident occurred at Spinella's business on Brooklyn Avenue in Hendersonville. According to reports, the altercation began when Stepp's son, Jimmy Stepp, was fired by Spinella after allegedly damaging equipment. Jimmy called his father, who arrived at the scene to return an air compressor he had borrowed from Spinella. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in Spinella shooting Stepp multiple times in front of his son.
District Attorney Greg Newman ruled the shooting as an act of self-defense, stating that Spinella was justified in his actions. Newman explained that Spinella had been knocked to the ground by Stepp and, fearing for his life, fired his weapon three times. The decision not to press charges against Spinella was met with controversy, as Stepp's family called for the release of security footage that captured the incident. Despite the ruling, Stepp's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Spinella and his company, Spinella Trucking and Excavation.
The wrongful death trial was set to begin in March 2021, but Spinella's sudden death on March 15, 2021, added another layer of complexity to the case. Spinella's lawyer confirmed that the lawsuit would continue against Spinella's estate and his company. The family of James Franklin Stepp III remains determined to seek justice and uncover the truth behind the tragic events that led to his death.
