Beyond the Sandstone: Exploring the Dakota Wall’s Ancient Formation and Modern Intrigues

Introduction

The Dakota Wall, made of Dakota sandstone, extends along the entire Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It was formed during the Laramide Orogeny about 65 million years ago when intense geological forces uplifted the Front Rangia region, a part of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains. This uplift caused the Dakota formation to fracture and tilt vertically. The Dakota Wall’s remnants survived the millions of years that weathering and erosion caused the Ancestral Rockies to eventually flatten into plains. Remains of this old wall can still be seen in the San Luis Valley on the western flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

What  is Dakota Wall?

Wall was granted credit for time served after entering a guilty plea on April 8 to a Class X felony charge of home invasion, which carries a mandatory prison sentence of six to thirty years. Wall had previously served 884 days.

On July 19, 2010, Stephens was reported missing. Her body was found in Beaucoup Creek six days later.

According to defense attorney James Stern, Wall intentionally left the door to Stephens’ home open on July 19 so that friends could frighten Stephens while she was sleeping.

Who is Sidnee Stephens? 

Sidnee Stephens played a pivotal role in the tragic events of the P’Town Saints murder. She was born on May 15th, 1995, in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois, United States, to Jason Tritschler and Tracy Stephens. Growing up, Sidnee was part of a family with four siblings. She attended Pinckneyville Community High School, where she dedicated herself to her studies. Sidnee also found comfort and a sense of belonging as a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Pinckneyville. These details reveal a young woman deeply connected to her family, faith, and education, but her life was tragically cut short by the events surrounding the P’Town Saints murder.

Biography & Wiki

Full NameSidnee Edith Cheyenne Stephens
GenderFemale
Date of BirthMay 15th, 1995
Zodiac SignTaurus
Place of BirthMurphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois, United States
NationalityAmerican
Date of DeathJuly 25th, 2010
Place of DeathPerry County, Illinois, United States
Place of BurialSunset Memorial Park Cemetery
ParentsJason Tritschler and Tracy Stephens

Dakota Wall Age

Sidnee Edith Cheyenne Stephens was born on May 15, 1995, making her approximately 29 years old as of now.

Physical Status

CategoryDetails
Date of Birth09/14/1992
Weight130 lbs.
HairBlonde or Strawberry
SexFemale
Height5 ft. 03 in.
RaceWhite
EyesBlue

What happened to Sidnee Stephens? 

In her past, Sidnee faced mental struggles and had moments where she contemplated self-harm. She often disappeared, only to return on her own. So, when she disappeared on July 19, 2010, her family initially thought she had left again by choice. However, they couldn’t shake off the fear that she might have harmed herself.

News of her disappearance spread quickly, causing widespread concern among the community. People joined together to search for her tirelessly. During these efforts, two fishermen made a grim discovery near the Beaucoup Creek Bridge, south of Pinckneyville, finding remains in the water.

Authorities worked to identify the body, relying on clues such as a labret piercing and a distinctive pendant. Through these, they confirmed the tragic fate of Sidnee Stephens, whose life was taken by violent means, as determined by the subsequent autopsy.

Sidnee Stephen & Dakota Wall Relationship

Like any other young sister, Sidnee adored hanging out with her older half-sister, Dakota Wall. But Dakota did not find it enjoyable. Even though they were in the same group, as they grew older, they appeared to get further apart from one another. 

At some point, Dakota began dating Chad Bennett. He was the leader of the local gang known as the P-Town Saints. She was briefly dated by his buddy Carl Dane prior to Sidnee ending their relationship. Sidnee recorded her relationship information in her journal. Dakota was offended by what she saw when she came upon the journal one day. Allegedly, Sidnee had wrote of engaging in intercourse with Chad Bennett. 

Investigation Into Sidnee Stephens’Death

The murder investigation into Sidnee’s death began with questioning her close friends and family members. Carl Dane, her ex-boyfriend, was brought in for interrogation on July 28. He first denied having anything to do with Sidnee’s death, but investigators discovered blood on his clothes. After dragging Sidnee into his car, driving her to the bridge, and strangling her until she passed out, he eventually admitted to shooting Sidnee.

Investigators believed Dane couldn’t have committed the crime on his own because of how complicated it was.

 Another individual linked to the P-Town Saints gang, James Glazier, was also brought in for questioning. Under interrogation, Glazier admitted his involvement and implicated Robbie Mueller as well.

The sequence of events revealed that Glazier and Dane unlawfully entered Sidnee’s home on the evening of July 19 with Mueller acting as a lookout. They dragged her to their car, where Dane and Glazier choked her until she lost consciousness. Dane then shot Sidnee multiple times during their drive to the bridge, where they disposed of her body in the river, later weighting it down with a cement block.

2011 saw Carl Dane enter a guilty plea to first-degree murder; he was sentenced to 60 years in prison. But the previous evening, he was discovered dead in the county jail prior to his being taken into state custody. Robbie Mueller and James Glazier were also found guilty in separate cases; Mueller was sentenced to thirty-seven years, while Glazier was given sixty years.

In a related event, Chad Bennett, a second individual, pled guilty to his role on March 13, 2018. He received a 20-year prison sentence. Bennett faced charges related to Sidnee’s case that included murder, kidnapping, violent kidnapping, home invasion, and domestic burglary; however, a few of these charges were withdrawn in 2013.

Was Dakota Wall convicted for Sidnee Stephens’ murder? 

Dakota Wall was one of those convicted in connection with the murder of Sidnee Stephens. She faced charges for aiding the individuals responsible for her sister’s death. Wall admitted to leaving the door to their home unlocked intentionally, allowing her friends to abduct her younger sister. She argued that she didn’t expect them to harm Sidnee but only wanted to scare her. However, authorities rejected her explanation, leading to charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, home invasion, and burglary against her.

Where is Dakota Wall today? 

2018 saw her accept her guilt and receive a 26-year prison sentence. In ten years, if all goes according to plan, she might be qualified for a parole hearing. She is currently incarcerated in Lincoln, Illinois at the Lincoln Correctional Center for Women’s Penitentiary, serving her term.Dakota Wall’s mother expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

Facts 

Formation: The Dakota Wall is made of Dakota sandstone and extends along the entire Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Formation Age: It was formed approximately 65 million years ago during the Laramide Orogeny, a geological event that uplifted the Front Range region.

Geological Forces: Intense geological forces during the uplift caused the Dakota formation to fracture and tilt vertically.

Remnants: Remnants of the Dakota Wall can still be seen in the San Luis Valley on the western flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Location: It spans along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, particularly visible in the San Luis Valley.

Summary 

The Dakota Wall is a geological formation made of Dakota sandstone that extends along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It was formed about 65 million years ago during the Laramide Orogeny, resulting in vertical tilting due to intense geological forces during uplift. Remnants of this ancient wall can still be observed today in the San Luis Valley.

The article also delves into the tragic events surrounding Sidnee Stephens, including her mental struggles, disappearance, and eventual murder by individuals linked to the P-Town Saints gang. Dakota Wall, Sidnee’s sister, was convicted for aiding in her sister’s abduction, leading to charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, home invasion, and burglary. Dakota Wall is currently serving a 26-year prison sentence in Lincoln, Illinois.

FAQs 

What is the Dakota Wall? 

The Dakota Wall is a geological formation made of Dakota sandstone that runs along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

When was the Dakota Wall formed? 

It was formed approximately 65 million years ago during the Laramide Orogeny.

Where can remnants of the Dakota Wall be seen? 

Remnants of the Dakota Wall can still be observed in the San Luis Valley on the western flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Who is Dakota Wall in relation to Sidnee Stephens? 

Dakota Wall is Sidnee Stephens’ older half-sister, who was convicted for aiding in her abduction and subsequent murder.

Where is Dakota Wall currently? 

Dakota Wall is serving her prison sentence at the Lincoln Correctional Center for Women’s Penitentiary in Lincoln, Illinois.

What charges was Dakota Wall convicted of? 

Dakota Wall was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, home invasion, and burglary in connection to Sidnee Stephens’ murder