AZ AZ - Alissa Turney, 17, Phoenix, 17 May 2001 *stepdad ARREST in 2020, acquitted*

[SpicyFruit]

It’s unimaginable to think about growing up in a household knowing that everything you do is being recorded and filmed and phone calls are also being recorded. Alissa felt like she was being watched. How in the world would that affect a young girl … a child who had no parental support growing up. It didn't appear that Alissa received much support or love after her mom passed away. Seemed that Alissa’s concerns about her adopted father MT were being ignored. Ultimately did it cause her demise... she was trying to tell someone?

Last week there was a phone call played in court between Alissa and her aunt and the aunt seemed concerned. However, Alissa wasn’t able to talk freely...most likely because the call was recorded, Alissa knew this, and/or MT probably was right there at the time of the call.

Much appreciation and gratitude to Alissa’s sister Sarah for advocating for her sister Alissa and telling Alissa's story.

Whether MT is convicted or not, Alissa’s story has been told! Alissa, I am so sorry for your pain while you were here on earth. So sorry that for whatever reason this monster was able to get to you and ruin your life. You showed strength and you handled yourself well.

All of this is a matter of opinion. Speculation.

Not to mention it seems like he actively worked to turn everyone in the family against her. Most of what everyone believed of her was from his word.

 

[arielilane]

Judge acquits Michael Turney of all charges in Alissa Turney murder trial

Alissa’s stepfather, Michael Turney, was on trial for second-degree murder, accused of being the last person who saw Alissa alive 22 years ago.

www.azfamily.com

Published: Jul. 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM EDT|Updated: 13 minutes ago

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - After one week of testimony in the high-profile Alissa Turney murder trial, the judge acquitted Michael Turney, the primary suspect and Alissa’s stepfather, of all murder charges.


This is a developing story. Stay with Arizona’s Family for the latest updates.

 

[wary]

Without prejudice, ability to try the case again with more evidence. MOO

I’m not so sure about that. It’s not being referred to as a ‘dismissal,’ but an acquittal. That SHOULD mean no retrial.

We’ll see. It’s certainly a shocker—the defense routinely asks for this at the end of the prosecution’s case, but this is the first case I’ve seen where the judge granted it. I had felt puzzled, all along, because the prosecution’s case just didn’t seem to be there—and I tend to lean toward the prosecution.

MOO

 

[retrometro]

I’m not so sure about that. It’s not being referred to as a ‘dismissal,’ but an acquittal. That SHOULD mean no retrial.

We’ll see. It’s certainly a shocker—the defense routinely asks for this at the end of the prosecution’s case, but this is the first case I’ve seen where the judge granted it. I had felt puzzled, all along, because the prosecution’s case just didn’t seem to be there—and I tend to lean toward the prosecution.

MOO

Agreed. I’m surprised prosecutors went forward with such a weak case. The Maricopa County DA who originally filed the charges was a complete mess (and is now deceased herself), so it’s possible there were serious miscommunications about evidence and/or legal strategy. MOO.

We all know he did it. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system isn’t perfect.

 

[arielilane]

dbm

 

[cuecard]

Christ alive. Very sad for Sarah today and also Alissa who continues to get no justice.

 

[arielilane]

I stand corrected. MT cannot be tried in court of law again.


#BREAKING Michael Turney soon to be a free man after his arrest in 2020 for the 2001 disappearance of his stepdaughter Alissa. This is after a successful defense motion for judgement of acquittal after the State rested.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1681025202707398657

https://twitter.com/JuliaCourtTV

For anyone not able to see tweet: MT was acquitted so he cannot be tried again in a court of law. "Jeopardy is attached."

 

[retrometro]

I know it’s not the ending we wanted for Alissa or Sarah, but I take heart in knowing that MT had to spend tens of thousands of dollars from his own savings on attorney’s fees and that anyone who watched the trial now knows that he is unequivocally a creep. He doesn’t look to be in good health to me and I doubt his remaining years will be happy ones.

Cold comforts, I know . . . but it’s all I’ve got right now.

 

[oceanverde]

My heart is so broken for Sarah. She fought so hard for this...

Same here. Unreal.

 

[Megnut]

Time for a civil suit? Lower threshold, wipe him out?

I weep for her deceased mother. Cancer stole her life, preventing her from protecting her precious children.

The world is just so blasted unfair sometimes.

jmo

 

[formerlyme]

Without prejudice, ability to try the case again with more evidence. MOO

MT was acquitted so he cannot be tried again in a court of law. "Jeopardy is attached." MOO

so , if they had waited for more evidence they could have done it but now if they turned up a treasure trove of evidence he will be free and clear....

 

[formerlyme]

Time for a civil suit? Lower threshold, wipe him out?

I weep for her deceased mother. Cancer stole her life, preventing her from protecting her precious children.

The world is just so blasted unfair sometimes.

jmo

sure he doesn't have much in terms of financial assets after the bomb making imprisonment.

 

[formerlyme]

I know it’s not the ending we wanted for Alissa or Sarah, but I take heart in knowing that MT had to spend tens of thousands of dollars from his own savings on attorney’s fees and that anyone who watched the trial now knows that he is unequivocally a creep. He doesn’t look to be in good health to me and I doubt his remaining years will be happy ones.

Cold comforts, I know . . . but it’s all I’ve got right now.

hopefully he does give that deathbed confession....

 

[Megnut]

hopefully he does give that deathbed confession....

Right before hell swallows him.

 

[wary]

so , if they had waited for more evidence they could have done it but now if they turned up a treasure trove of evidence he will be free and clear....

True. That’s one reason DAs sometimes drag their feet. They’re aware that they get just one try. In one case, someone was acquitted, and afterwards, someone found PICTURES of what he’d done. Mel Ignatow. He was convicted of perjury, later, at least.

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

That's pretty disgusting. Is prosecution able to appeal the judge's ruling?

 

[Noirdame79]

I have no words. I feared this. There were things that the state wasn't able to present to the jury, such as MT's criminal history.

 

[arielilane]

Michael Turney released from jail after being acquitted in case of Alissa Turney's presumed murder

Michael Turney, the man arrested in connection to the murder of his teenage stepdaughter in 2001, has been acquitted. He was released from jail Tuesday morning.

www.abc15.com

Posted at 11:53 AM, Jul 17, 2023 and last updated 30 minutes ago


A judge reportedly threw out the case and ruled for a motion of acquittal in court Monday morning.

The defense asked earlier in the day Monday for the judge to issue an acquittal based on what they called a lack of evidence that Michael killed Alissa, claiming there was sufficient evidence that she ran away.


The defense team for Michael Turney speaks outside of the courthouse after the ruling Monday morning:

(Video included @link)


[..] Alissa’s biological father, who was also in court during the trial, told ABC15 he believes Michael is guilty.

 

[oceanverde]

That's pretty disgusting. Is prosecution able to appeal the judge's ruling?

I'd like to know this too.

 

[arielilane]

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES

DAY 6 – 7/17/23

• The judge granted the defense’s motion for acquittal, dismissing charges against Michael Turney and ordering him to be released.
  • MORE: Charges dismissed against Michael Turney for stepdaughter’s murder
• WATCH: Murder Charges Dismissed Against Michael Turney

AZ v. Michael Turney: Missing Sister Murder Trial

UPDATE: The judge granted the defense's motion to dismiss the charges against Michael Turney, and ordered his release.

www.courttv.com

last updated 3:44 PM, July 17, 2023