The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Twelve years after they were convicted of a notorious Oceanfront murder, two former Navy SEAL trainees will return to a Virginia Beach courtroom Wednesday for a new chapter in the case.
One of the men, Dustin Turner, 33, has long claimed he is innocent in the 1995 slaying of Jennifer Evans, a Georgia college student. He has petitioned for release on the basis of a 2003 admission by his co-defendant, Billy Joe Brown, 36, that Brown was solely responsible for the murder.
Initially, each blamed the other for the crime. Turner admitted helping cover it up and led police to the body. In two highly publicized trials in 1996, Turner was sentenced to 82 years in prison and Brown, 72 years.
Turner is seeking a “writ of actual innocence” under a 2004 law that allows prisoners to present newly discovered nonbiological evidence of innocence. No one has been released under the law so far.
The purpose of Wednesday's hearing in Circuit Court is to test the credibility of Brown’s confession.
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Navy vs. Civilian Courts.
They are lucky the Civies got em. Since when does "only helping dump the body" get you a free pass mac. Don't do the crime if ya can't do the time.
Turner and Brown
One is just as quilty as the other. Let'em both finish the prison as imposed.
Innocent?
I think not. Since when is it ok to watch while your friend rapes and strangles a human being, then you help "dump" the body? He is far from innocent whether or not he actually choked the life out of the girl. He was there, allowed it to happen, watched it happen, helped cover it up and then denied knowledge afterward. He's a killer and a coward, period. He deserves to be in prison.
Not Innocent by Far
Am I the only one who sees this new case as a waste of our taxpayer dollars? Turner admitted to helping get rid of the body and was there when this girl was killed. He was party to the murder throughout, even if he isn't the one who actually strangled her. When two people rob someone and one of the robbers shoots and kills that victim, aren't both robbers charged with murder? What is the difference?