A man charged with murdering his 17-year-old stepdaughter has been acquitted of second-degree murder charges following a TikTok accountability campaign.
Michael Turney was on trial in Maricopa County, Arizona for the murder of Alyssa Turney, who disappeared in 2001 and was never found. The case came back into the spotlight in 2020 when her sister, Sarah Tourney, was involved. Start posting TikTok series In it, she explained why she believed her father was responsible and how the authorities failed to conduct a proper investigation.
On Monday, following testimony from Sarah Turney and other prosecution witnesses, the judge ruled there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case. Based on Arizona Rule 20. Michael Turney has been acquitted and cannot stand trial again.
‘He is thrilled to be released from custody,’ says lawyer Jamie Jackson He told reporters outside the courthouse.. “He’s clearly still very concerned about this case and Alyssa, and he seems to be trying to find out who actually killed her.”
Sarah Tourney took to TikTok to urge authorities to press charges against her father in her sister’s disappearance. Michael Turney (right) in court in Maricopa County, Arizona, on Monday.
In August 2020, Michael Turney was indicted on second-degree murder charges. Police have launched an investigation into the murder of Alyssa in 2008 after a friend of hers told authorities. Tahnee sexually assaulted her. (The judge did not allow the sexual abuse accusation to be mentioned during the trial.)
While executing a search warrant at his home as part of an investigation, police found 26 pipe bombs, 19 assault rifles, two home-made silencers and a can of gasoline in the van. He later pleaded guilty to possession of a pipe bomb and was sentenced to 10 years in prison before being released in 2017.
In July of that year, Michael Turney was once again in the spotlight when Ottavia Zappala launched a popular podcast examining the case, Missing Alissa. Sarah Tourney launched her own podcast, “Voices for Justice,” calling for her father’s arrest and sharing details about her relationship with Alyssa, interpreting her father’s pleading guilty. I even played a recording of her conversation with her father.
In a statement to The HuffPost after his acquittal, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said: “On May 17, 2001, Alyssa Turney, a senior at Paradise Valley High School, poked her face into her boyfriend’s woodworking class and said her stepfather was trying to get her out of school early.” This was the last time Alyssa was heard from or seen by anyone. For over 20 years, her family has fought for justice and their tenacity is a testament to her love for Alyssa. I am proud of the hard work of prosecutors and law enforcement in this case. Our firm disagrees with the judge’s ruling today, but we respect the court’s decision. ”
