Stephen Albert McCoy, born on December 17, 1948, also had a history of criminal activity. Before being linked to any homicides, McCoy was serving a five-year prison term for burglary in Texas.

In October 1980, Stephen Albert McCoy was involved in a plot to kill 38-year-old Robert Edward Howard in Houston. McCoy, along with James Paster and Gary LeBlanc, agreed to the murder for money. Paster was hired by Howard's ex-wife and her new husband, who offered him $1,000 and a motorcycle for the job. On October 25, 1980, the trio slashed the tires of Howard's truck at a nightclub. When Howard returned, Paster shot him in the back of the head, and they all fled.

In November 1980, the same group abducted 27-year-old Diana Trevino Oliver. They forced her into a vehicle and took her to a field. McCoy raped and then fatally stabbed her.

On December 31, 1980, they found 18-year-old Cynthia Darlene Johnson stranded on the side of the road. They took her to a warehouse, where they raped her. LeBlanc attempted to strangle her, but she survived that. Later, Paster successfully strangled her, and to ensure her death, drove a nail up her nose.

In 1982, Paster received three life sentences in Alabama for separate crimes. While in prison, he confessed to murder. On September 21, 1983, he was convicted of capital murder for killing Howard and received the death penalty. McCoy was serving a separate burglary sentence when new charges were brought against him. He was indicted in 1983 and found guilty of capital murder on July 26, 1984, for the murder of Johnson, leading to a death sentence.

LeBlanc was convicted as well but received a lighter sentence for testifying against Paster and McCoy. Howard's ex-wife and her new husband were also found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for their involvement.

Both men attempted to escape from prison in 1989 but were unsuccessful. McCoy was executed on May 24, 1989, by lethal injection. His execution was labeled botched as witnesses described his reactions during the procedure. Paster was executed next on September 20, 1989, also via lethal injection. He confessed to two additional murders before his execution.

Both McCoy and Paster are buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.