PRESS RELEASE
Due to defense attorney Judson McMillin’s Press Release that was printed in the News Examiner earlier this week, both the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office and Fayette County Sheriff’s Department believe that the public is due clarification as to the circumstances surrounding the Shawn McClung confession and the Denise Pflum case, generally.
On July 3rd, 2020, Shawn McClung, Denise’s ex-boyfriend, requested that jail staff contact Sheriff Joey Laughlin so that he could speak with him. During a video recorded interview, McClung confessed to the killing of Denise Pflum, while being held on unrelated charges at the Fayette County Jail. It is true that an Immunity Agreement was offered to Shawn McClung for his consideration prior to his confession, but it was provided knowing that Mr. McClung was in failing health and would likely soon pass away. (This was also done with the Pflum family's consent). Knowing he was dying provided the investigators an urgency and duty to provide answers and closure to the Pflum family if Shawn McClung was responsible for her death and/or disappearance. The Immunity Agreement required that Mr. McClung must “not withhold any information” regarding the disappearance of Denise Pflum and also required that he provide information regarding the “movement and/or disposal of her body including, but not limited to, the location of the body.”
At the time of his confession, Mr. McClung did not provide a location of her remains nor information that would help lead to the Sheriff’s Department finding her remains. This requirement was not satisfied by Mr. McClung, which would have rendered any Immunity Agreement void. However, at the time of Mr. McClung’s confession, he also had not signed nor executed the Immunity Agreement that was offered to him. It is for these reasons that Mr. McClung did not receive immunity from the State of Indiana, and charges were eventually filed against Mr. McClung for the death of Denise Pflum.
Mr. Judson McMillin began his representation of Mr. McClung shortly after his confession to Sheriff Joey Laughlin. After consultation with his new client, Mr. McMillin insinuated to the Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff that more detail would be forthcoming and that it would be shocking. During the remaining time in Mr. McClung’s life, neither the Sheriff’s Department nor Prosecutor’s Office received any official statements from Mr. McMillin. However, after the death of Mr. McClung, Mr. McMillin did provide an audio recording of Mr. McClung recanting his confession. It is the understanding of our offices that Mr. McMillin is now withholding a statement from a potential witness that has also not been turned over to investigators or prosecutors as of this release.
The Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office and Fayette County Sheriff’s Department have worked diligently and tirelessly on the Denise Pflum case and continue to do so. We understand that the community takes great interest in the case and care deeply about finding the answers to Denise’s disappearance. Our top priority is finding the truth and finally allowing the Pflum family to have the answers they have been searching for over 30 years. We continue to be hopeful that we will also be able to find justice for Denise Pflum. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Denise Pflum, please feel free to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department at 765-825-1110.
Fayette County Sheriff's Department -Indiana
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