Yogurt Shop Murders wrongful conviction settlement
The City of Austin reached a tentative $35 million settlement on May 12, 2026, with Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn, the four men wrongly accused in the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. As of February 19, 2026, State District Judge Dayna Blazey declared the four men innocent, formally clearing their records after prosecutors admitted the state had prosecuted innocent individuals. This declaration followed the September 29, 2025, identification of serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers, who died in 1999, as the sole perpetrator based on DNA and ballistic evidence. Maurice Pierce, one of the accused, died in 2010 after spending three years in jail before charges against him were dismissed. Springsteen and Scott had their convictions overturned in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and all charges against them were dismissed in 2009.
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May 2026 — 1 developments
The City of Austin has reached a tentative $35 million settlement with the four men wrongly accused in the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders.
The City of Austin has reached a tentative $35 million settlement with the four men wrongly accused in the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. The settlement was announced on May 12, 2026, and is considered historic for the city. The four men were declared innocent in February 2026.
February 2026 — 2 developments
State District Judge Dayna Blazey declared four men innocent in the 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, formally clearing their records.
State District Judge Dayna Blazey declared four men innocent in the 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, formally clearing their records. Prosecutors admitted that the state had prosecuted four innocent men for one of the worst crimes Austin had ever seen. This declaration follows the September 2025 identification of Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial killer who died in 1999, as the sole perpetrator based on DNA and ballistic evidence.
State District Judge Dayna Blazey declared Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn innocent of the 1991 yogurt shop murders.
State District Judge Dayna Blazey declared Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn innocent of the 1991 yogurt shop murders. The declaration formally cleared their names, closing a decades-long chapter for the men and their families.
September 2025 — 1 developments
Austin police announced a breakthrough in the 1991 case, identifying Robert Eugene Brashers as the sole killer based on new DNA science and reviews of old ballistics evidence.
Austin police announced a breakthrough in the 1991 case, identifying Robert Eugene Brashers as the sole killer based on new DNA science and reviews of old ballistics evidence. Brashers, a serial killer, died in a 1999 standoff with police in Missouri.
November 2010 — 1 developments
Maurice Pierce, one of the four men initially accused, died in a confrontation with police after a traffic stop.
Maurice Pierce, one of the four men initially accused, died in a confrontation with police after a traffic stop. He had spent three years in jail before charges against him were dismissed.
October 2009 — 1 developments
Travis County prosecutors moved to dismiss all charges against Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen.
Travis County prosecutors moved to dismiss all charges against Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen. Sophisticated DNA analysis of evidence from the crime scene did not match either defendant, and the prosecution announced it was not prepared to go to trial. The judge accepted the state's motion to dismiss.
June 2007 — 1 developments
Texas's highest court overturned Michael Scott's conviction because Springsteen's confession was improperly used against Scott at trial.
Texas's highest court overturned Michael Scott's conviction because Springsteen's confession was improperly used against Scott at trial. Scott and Springsteen claimed their confessions were coerced.
May 2006 — 1 developments
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Robert Springsteen's conviction, ruling that he recei…
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Robert Springsteen's conviction, ruling that he received an unfair trial because he was not allowed to cross-examine his co-defendant, Michael Scott, who had made a statement incriminating Springsteen. The court cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the right to confront accusers.
September 2002 — 1 developments
Michael Scott was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for the yogurt shop murders.
Michael Scott was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for the yogurt shop murders. He was also 17 at the time of the crime.
June 2001 — 1 developments
Robert Springsteen was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for the yogurt shop murders.
Robert Springsteen was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for the yogurt shop murders. He was 17 at the time of the crime.
December 1999 — 1 developments
Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn, who were teenagers at the ti…
Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn, who were teenagers at the time of the murders, were arrested in connection with the 1991 yogurt shop killings. Investigators had pursued thousands of leads and several false confessions before these arrests.
December 1991 — 1 developments
Four teenage girls—Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), Jennifer Harbison (17), and Sarah Harbison (15)—were murdered at an "I Can't Believe It's Yogurt" store in Austin, Texas.
Four teenage girls—Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), Jennifer Harbison (17), and Sarah Harbison (15)—were murdered at an "I Can't Believe It's Yogurt" store in Austin, Texas. The victims were bound, gagged, and shot execution-style. The store was subsequently set on fire.