Officials look into death of Stephanie Brinson, who’s second person in a year to die during family visit at Ione facility

Summary

Stephanie Diane Dowells, 62, was strangled during an overnight visit with her husband, David Brinson, at Mule Creek state prison in California.

Brinson, serving life without parole for four murders, claimed Dowells passed out, but authorities ruled her death a homicide.

This marks the second strangulation death during a family visit at the prison in a year; Tania Thomas was killed in July 2024 while visiting inmate Anthony Curry. Investigations are ongoing.

California is one of four states allowing family visits to maintain positive relationships.

  • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
    14·
    6 days ago

    That’s an idea from 1760. Long before the invention of camera, DNA testing etc etc etc.

      • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
        13·
        6 days ago

        There is no level of burden of proof which is infallible.

        He was in a cell with his wife and she was killed.

        • Pheonixdown@lemm.ee
          5·
          6 days ago

          You’re already jumping to conclusions, specifically that he was definitely in the cell with his wife when she died and that she was killed.

          There’s still some doubts that can be cast, especially given the few details we have.

          He didn’t have control over who could enter or leave the cell, it’s possible someone else did the murdering.

          Heck with the evidence we have access to, it’s possible she never entered the cell alive.

          It could have been accidental as the result of something consensual.

          It could be coincidental that something consensual happened and after which see died of an unrelated cause.

          It could have been suicide, where she wanted to be with him at the time.