Timeline of Significant Events
1990
1991
5-20-91 - Sicola Martin Koons Frank lose $2 million advertising for I Can't Believe It's Yogurt; but, gained the Brice Foods representation. I Can't Believe It's Yogurt has stores in 20 countries.12-6-91 - 4 girls murdered in I Can't Believe It's Yogurt shop in Austin, TX. It has been reported this store was company owned, not a franchise.
12-12-91 - Travis County District Judge Jon Wisser seals autopsy reports at request of District Attorney's office. First time in 14 years as an ME that Bayardo has seen this happen. First time in 10 years with DA's office that Buddy Meyer has seen.
12-23-91 - A teen-age girl and her boyfriend confess. But police dismiss the confessions as false because the two youths don't know confidential details of the crime. Authorities say they have few leads.
1992
?-?-92 - APD described as "uncooperative" with Las Cruces, NM athorities investigating bowling alley murders of 2/90.1-3-92 - Police form a task force to investigate the case.
1-5-92 - APD announce arrests expected soon.
3-16-92 - Police release a sketch of a man seen parked outside the yogurt shop the night of the slayings. Police say the sketch resembles the sketch of a suspect in an assault and abduction of an Austin woman kidnapped in downtown Austin.
4-1-92 - Police arrest a 17-year-old, Armando Razo, who fits the description (one of a reported 219) of the man wanted for questioning in the yogurt shop slayings. He's later released.
4-?-92 - APD Chief Everett resigns.
6-?-92 - Sgt. Polanco accused of coercing confessions.
8-7-92 - America's Most Wanted shows 3 suspects wanted for questioning: Alberto Cortez, Carlos Saabedra, and Ricardo Sanchez. FBI profile predicted killers live near the shop. These 3 suspects have friends and family in the area. All 3 left town shortly after the killings and have not returned.
10-?-92 - Mexican nationals confess to the murders. At least one of them is believed to have been a delivery man for Brice/ICBY and may have had keys to the yogurt shop.
10-25-92 - Mexican nationals recant and claim torture. This claim and being in Mexican prison eliminate them from ever being considered suspects in the future.
11-?-92 - DA Ronnie Earle and Chief Watson announce reinvestigation of over 90 pending homicide cases.
?-?-92 - Investigation of APD concluded that there existed unethical practices within the department.
1993
1-28-93 - Newspaper atricle that parents file for civil damages naming shopping center and Brice Foods, d.b.a. I Can't Believe It's Yogurt.
1994
1-11-94 - Hand written settlement for $12.4 million of parents lawsuit to be paid by "insurance company". No documented distribution of money. Reward for killers never exceeds $125,000 (reported that at least $70,000 came from Austin business community).[ed. reported that $10 million was paid by the store owners, only $2 million came from insurance].4-15-94 - News artticle that Brice Group to expand beyond I Can't Believe It's Yogurt.
8-4-94 - The Brice Group and ZuZu Inc. said Wednesday they have formed a joint venture to start franchising ZuZu Handmade Mexican Food overseas. The Brice Group has developed I Can't Believe It's Yogurt and other concepts. Under the joint venture, Brice has exclusive rights to market ZuZu's franchise system occasual fast-food-type Mexican restaurants internationally.
1995
1996
3-29-96 - News article that Brice Group sells I Can't Believe It's Yogurt for $14 million to Canadian firm12-6-96 - On the fifth anniversary of the killings, family members express frustration with the investigation. Meanwhile, authorities begin airing a video about the case to 130, 000 inmates , hoping that someone will turn in the killers for the reward.
1997
8-2-97 - State and federal law enforcement agencies join APD in looking at yogurt shop murders. Not prompted by new evidence.
1998
3-4-98 - APD yogurt shop task force disbands. Task force cleared up leads and made case more manageable. Case returns to homicide unit.
1999
4-16-99 - Newspaper account of interrogation of suspect (LeCresha) "followed appropriate investigative procedures." per APD. These "appropriate investigative procedures" are judged inappropriate and result in an overturned verdict.8-1-99 - 25 Investors file lawsuit in Bexar county for recovery of investment in Brice Foods, d.b.a. I Can't Believe It's Yogurt. Testimony indicates there was no "errors & omissions" coverage on this store.
8-6-99 - Police assign six investigators and one sergeant, and enlist other agencies to pursue their latest lead. Among those appointed are detective(s) and Ranger(s) known for "coersion" and "creative" reporting.
8-11-99 - Officer Ramirez fired for allegedly manhandling and sexually harassing a woman while on duty
8-31-99 - Supeona issued for school records from Austin Independant School District.
8-?-99 - Detective(s) "discover" a 12-14-91 interrogation involving 2 of the young men that "breaks the case". On 10-22-99, under oath, detective(s) admit that they have nothing directly on these 2 young men, thereby, making the 1991 interrogation totally irrelevant, even though it is currently being used as justification for arrest of the other 2 young men.
9-14-99 thru 9-17-99 - Interrogations of "suspects" and "witnesses" by APD and ATF (Mike 9-14-99, Robert 9-15-99, Roy 9-16-99, Patric 9-?-99).
9-16-99 - Springsteen's father resigns his contract position with APD.
9-20-99 - A friend of Springsteen, Sr. is fired from a supervisory position (on contract) with APD because of association.
9-22-99 - Springsteen, Jr. passes polygraph.
10-5-99 - Verdict handed down in investors lawsuit. The jury returned fraud and consipracy findings against 3 Brice Foods executives.
10-6-99 - 4 young men arrested based on 2 alleged "confessions" and an irrelevant interrogation from 1991. The arrests are staged to sway public opinion and, presumably, demonstrate the end of the earth is not far enough to get away from "Texas justice".
10-8-99 - Newspaper report of $4.5 million awarded to investors.
10-14-99 thru 10-20-99 - Various testimonies before the grand jury.
10-22-99 - Detective(s) testify that there is no direct evidence against 2 suspects. Detective(s) testify that attempts to bring 2 suspects together (at the shopping center) for "their reaction" is a total failure.
10-?-99 - Reported that Pierce passed a polygraph on 12-14-91.
11-13-99 - Austin American-Statesman reports Officer Ramirez under indictment for allegedly manhandling and sexually harassing a woman while on duty. He was dismissed, reinstated, then suspended - Judge says APD Chief Knee didn't file termination on time; Ramirez put on leave until criminal case ends.
11-?-99 - Rumors have the DA's office "leaking" information from the grand jury. Rumors have the DA's office putting heavy pressure on suspects for confessions. An attempt to close this down quickly and avoid any indepth, open trials?
11-?-99 - Rumered that police in 1991 ruled out the .22 cal. pistol found on Pierce in 1991 as being one of the murder weapons.
11-?-99 - A Charleston, WV law enforcement official is "censured" for his handling of the arrest of Springsteen, Jr.
12-?-99 - Court ordered DNA samples taken. Springsteen volunteered DNA samples and a polygraph in September and was refused. Since officials have always and continue to state there is no evidence from the scene, why are the samples needed?
12-?-99 - Rumored that suspects fingerprints do not match any in the file.
12-9-99 - Testimony that "juvenile" suspects passed polygraphs.
12-14-99(?) - Springsteen, Jr. indicted [ed. indictments are easy to get because the prosecution can basically hand pick the grand jury - common phrase: "You can get a ham sandwich indicted" - ask any lawyer].
12-19-99 - Gag order issued. Rumored that Earle knew about the ruling before anyone else. [ed. because he asked for it? Could there be improper communications between judges and prosecution?]
12-28-99 - 2 more indicted (Wellborn remains unindicted)
2000
1-?-00 - Rumered that Wellborn refuses offer to be "released" if he "dumps" on the other three.1-?-00 - At a hearing for Springsteen, Jr., defense voices a desire for a trial around June. Judge Lynch indicates Oct/Nov or maybe 2001. [ed. apparently, Judge Lynch (and I'm sure DA Earle) don't want any part of this trial to go public before the election]
2-?-00 - Search is on in prisons around the country for "testimony" against the current suspects.
3-?-00 - Reported that "new" witnesses publicly state no knowledge of events or suspects; but are threatened with prison terms if current suspects are not implicated.
3-30-00 - Hearing for the suspects [ed. as far as I could tell, it sounded like mostly routine legal bantering]. Springteen's attorneys reiterated they were ready for trial now, any extended delay would reflect on constitutional rights of the accused, pressed for a suppression hearing and indicated who they would supeona. The DA's office indicated that about 55,000 pages of evidence, documents, etc. exist. The DA's office could not estimate the cost of reproduction, even though Scott's attorney reminded the court that that question was asked in the January hearing. The DA's office was ordered to provide evidence, documents, etc. to the defense without requiring the defense to reveal who would look at the evidence.
1-7-00 to 3-22-00 - Sargeant (Texas Ranger) Salvador Abreo is nominated for (and, I believe, has received) a citation award for "solving the yogurt shop murders". [ed. the recommendation is not only premature, it contains significant factual errors].
4-13-00 - 48 Hours (CBS) broadcast an update to the yogurt shop case. Overall, we're pleased with the program and appreciate the effort of the 48 Hours people . Due to air time constraints, editorial, and/or legal decisions, there were several things not covered during the show; but several things were included which did not have to be included
5/??/00 - .22 cal .pistol taken from Pierce in 1991 is tested by ATF and markings still do not match the bullets taken from crime scene [ed. now known that pistol was tested in 1991 and did not match anything then either]
5-6-2000 - Police with divers search under Loop 360 bridge for a gun. [ed. I was told it cost $10,000 an hour for that operation and they spent several weeks. How many tax $$$$$s is that?]
6-1-2000 thru 6-2-2000 - Supression hearing for Springsteen, Jr. Under oath, Det. Merrill testified that he knows of no evidence against Springsteen either before the Sep 1999 interrogation or after. He also testified that he drew his gun and held it in the "proximity" of Mike Scott's head during the Scott interrogation. When asked if, hypothetically, a gun was held to someone's head during an interrogation, would that be coersion - Det. Merrill replied, "It might be."
6-5-2000 - Judge Lynch OK's special visits; but Travis county jail personnel deny visitation for Robert's out-of-town family and friends. See email from Robert's wife
6-?-2000 - Scott's attorneys desire change of venue for Scott's trial as public officials have "poisoned the water" by having proclaimed these young men guilty within days after their arrest.
6-6-2000 - Prosecution attempts to deny documents to the defense, AGAIN.
6-7-2000 - Reported in Austin Statesman that a member of Grand Jury that indicted Springsteen, Scott, and Pierce sent a letter to Judge Lynch asking to have prosecution investigated. She claims recent news reports have led her to question if the indictments were "obtained by deception or withholding of evidence."
6-22-2000 - Bail reduction hearing for Maurice Pierce is effective only in establishing under oath that Det. Paul Johnson knew before the arrests that the gun found on Maurice in 1991 was not the gun used in the yogurt shop murders. It turns out that Det. Johnson "forgot" to tell the DA and it has been characterized as an "honest mistake".
7-?-2000 - I have been told that 3 more grand jurors have contacted the Judge Lynch about problems with the indictment process of these young men. Even though the lives of these young men are at stake and now several grand jury members are expressing doubts about how they were treated, Judge Lynch doesn't feel investigation is warranted any time soon. It appears that this, too, will wait until after the election.
7-?-2000 - More delays as Judge Lynch does not want to conduct any "official" business until the new court house is finished.
7-?-2000 - Travis county jail personnel continue to play "mind games" with the accused and their families.
8-10-2000 - During questioning of ATF agent Meyer (ret), Mr. Sawyer asked him if he was aware that the results of the DNA tests were negative as relates to these suspects. The prosecution immediately objected and felt discussion of this in a public courtroom was inappropriate.
8-11-2000 - Report by David Hafetz, Austin American-Statesman, that the Texas DPS results from a 6-30-2000 DNA test exclude the four current suspects. DNA article.
Return to top 2001
9-25-2001 - Carlos Garcia is now on Mike Scott's defense team. Judge Lynch said he was an experienced death penalty attorney. The pre-trial has postponed to allow Garcia to get up to speed on the case. The trial, originally on the docket for January 2002, has been taken off and may not begin until early spring.
9-29-2001 - The Texas Third Court of Appeals reversed a conviction for captial murder werre the prosecution used a co-defendant's written statement to obtain the conviction. Citing that the 6th Amendment is fundamental, their opinion goes so far as to write that confessions given while in custody, like Mike Scott's, are unreliable because the state is taking the confession, that it involves past events, and that it has never been subject to adversarial testing.
Return to top 2002
2-1-2002 - Whatever Lynch's decision, gritty issues in the notorious 1991 murder case are back on the table, as defense lawyers have apparently been given an additional legal weapon, via a recent ruling by the state's Court of Appeals for the Third District. ...But to Sawyer, the only way for the prosecution to continue the yogurt shop prosecutions on the basis of the existing evidence is to set aside the Constitution. "When you don't follow the law, or are wrong about the law, it's all for nothing," he said.
2-8-2002 - Judge Mike Lynch ruled that a self-incriminating statement Scott gave police can be used against him. Scott's attorneys had argued the statement was coerced. Jury selection has been set for July 28/29.
8-23-2002 - ... Considering the existing evidence, the confession isn't entirely accurate -- and last week was contradicted by one of the state's first witnesses.
9-6-2002 - ... On the first day of that interrogation, police grilled Scott for nearly 12 hours in a 7-by 10-foot room on the second floor of APD headquarters; by the end, Scott confessed he participated in the 1991 quadruple murder, which prosecutors say proves his involvement. But defense attorneys claim the confession was coerced, the result of brutal psychological interviewing tactics.
Return to top 2003
1-29-2003 - Maurice Pierce, the third suspect in Austin's notorious yogurt shop murders, was released from jail Tuesday after prosecutors determined they lack enough evidence to convict him.
2-14-2003 - P.I.'S case casts (another) cloud over yogurt shop probe. ... On the heels of the Pierce dismissal, a collateral case was also quietly dismissed -- calling into question the integrity and credibility of APD Detective Paul Johnson, the lead investigator on the 12-year-old murder case.
Return to top 2004
2005
3-11-2005 - On March 1, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 ruling outlawing the execution of juvenile offenders, opining that the practice violates the Constitution's Eighth Amendment ban against cruel and unusual punishment.
5-6-2005 - Convicted Yogurt Shop Murderer Files Appeal - Lawyers for convicted yogurt shop murderer Michael Scott last week filed a motion with the Third Court of Appeals, asking that the full court review the three-judge panel's March decision to uphold Scott's conviction. ... Citing last year's Supreme Court ruling in a case styled Crawford v. Washington, the Third Court disagreed with the state, ruling that Scott's Sixth Amendment right to cross-examine Springsteen was violated.
Return to top 2006
5-24-2006 - The state's highest criminal appeals court has thrown out the murder conviction of Robert Burns Springsteen IV, who was sent to death row for killing one of the four teenage girls murdered at a North Austin yogurt shop in 1991.
Return to top
2007
11-14-2007 - Judge Mike Lynch wants Scott's trial to begin before June 2008 so both Scott and Springsteen's trials can be complete by the end of next year.
Return to top
2008
4-16-2008 - testing requested by Travis Co. prosecutors – has revealed a previously undetected male DNA profile that does not match any of the four defendants. “This exonerates Defendant Springsteen and makes it clear someone else committed these murders,” Sawyer wrote.
Return to top