PHOENIX, ARIZONA: In an astonishing turn of events, Michael Turney, a 75-year-old Arizona man accused of killing his 17-year-old stepdaughter, Alissa Turney, has been acquitted of all charges due to a lack of evidence. The verdict, delivered on Monday morning, July 17, in a Maricopa County courtroom, left family members in shock and tears while the accused breathed a sigh of relief.
Why was Michael Turney acquitted?
Alissa went missing in May 2001, allegedly leaving a note stating her intention to run away to California. Despite extensive efforts, her whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Prosecutors argued that Michael Turney, who had a troubled relationship with his stepdaughter, exerted control over her life through hundreds of surveillance tapes. However, the defense vehemently refuted these claims, emphasizing the absence of concrete evidence of her demise.
The judge's decision to dismiss the murder charges against Turney came after the prosecution rested its case. Citing Rule 20, which allows for an acquittal when there is insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, the judge granted the defense's motion. This decision left Alissa's half-sister, Sarah Turney, who played a crucial role in bringing her father to trial and led a social media campaign for justice, in shock as she exited the courthouse without commenting to the reporters, according to ABC 15 Arizona.
The defense requested an acquittal based on the lack of evidence, arguing that there was proof of Alissa running away and even doubts about her death. She vanished on the last day of her junior year at Paradise Valley High School, allegedly while her stepfather was about to pick Sarah up for lunch. Michael reported her disappearance, claiming she left behind a note expressing her intention to flee to California. The investigation took a significant turn in 2008 when authorities re-interviewed witnesses and executed search warrants for Michael's residence, yielding a shocking discovery of over two dozen unregistered pipe bombs, which led to his conviction. After serving his sentence, Michael was released in 2017. However, he was arrested on suspicion of Alissa's death in 2020.
Troubled relationship between Michael Turney and Alissa Turney
During the trial, Sarah Turney, who has actively pursued justice through her social media campaign and podcast 'Voices for Justice' testified against her father. She revealed how he allegedly brainwashed her into believing that Alissa was a rebellious teenager who ran away. However, Sarah's suspicions grew over time as her father's accounts of the events surrounding her sister's disappearance constantly changed. Sarah confronted her father in 2017, urging him to provide an explanation. However, Michael only promised to reveal the truth on his deathbed. He apparently even offered to confess if the state would agree to administer a lethal injection within ten days. During her court testimony, Sarah also detailed the troubled relationship between Alissa and their stepfather.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented evidence of Michael's extensive surveillance activities, revealing that he had filmed Alissa inside their home and possessed hundreds of surveillance videos. The prosecution further alleged that Michael tapped his stepdaughter's phone and coerced her into signing a contract denying any sexual assault. On the other hand, the defense argued that the absence of DNA or blood evidence, and the lack of a body, undermined the prosecution's case.
Pursuit of justice for Alissa Turney
Sarah launched her podcast 'Voices for Justice' in 2019, which delved into the family's history, events leading up to Alissa's disappearance, and a comprehensive timeline of the subsequent years. She also utilized TikTok to raise awareness about the case, garnering significant interest and support. "I've received more interest in this case from that app in the past month than in the last 10 years," Sarah remarked to NBC News. "This is not going away, and I'm going to make sure it never does. She deserves her day in court. And I'm determined to give her that." While the acquittal has brought disappointment and heartbreak to Alissa's family, Sarah remains steadfast in the pursuit of justice for her sister.
