Men Cleared in Austin Yogurt Shop Murders After Decades

New evidence points to another suspect, opening door for restitution and reform

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The original suspects in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders - Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn and Maurice Pierce - have been cleared of the charges after a judge signed orders declaring their innocence. New evidence presented by the Austin Police Department indicates that Robert Brashers was the lone suspect in the crime. The men and their families are now looking at possible restitution and legal reforms to prevent similar wrongful convictions in the future.

Why it matters

The yogurt shop murders case was one of the most high-profile and controversial criminal cases in Austin's history, with the original suspects facing accusations and even convictions despite a lack of conclusive evidence. This ruling not only clears the names of the men who were wrongfully accused, but also raises important questions about compensation, reform of the legal system, and how to prevent such miscarriages of justice from happening again.

The details

After decades of controversy, a judge has signed orders clearing the names of the four original suspects in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders. New evidence presented by the Austin Police Department points to a different man, Robert Brashers, as the lone suspect in the crime. The four men - Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn and Maurice Pierce - had faced accusations and even convictions in the case, despite a lack of conclusive evidence. Now, they and their families are looking at possible restitution and legal reforms to prevent similar wrongful convictions in the future.

  • The yogurt shop murders took place in 1991.
  • The four men were accused and some convicted in the years following the crime.
  • On February 19, 2026, a judge signed orders clearing the names of the original suspects.
  • The hearing to formally declare the men's innocence took place on February 20, 2026.

The players

Robert Springsteen

One of the four original suspects in the Austin yogurt shop murders, who has now been cleared of the charges.

Michael Scott

One of the four original suspects in the Austin yogurt shop murders, who has now been cleared of the charges.

Forrest Welborn

One of the four original suspects in the Austin yogurt shop murders, who has now been cleared of the charges.

Maurice Pierce

One of the four original suspects in the Austin yogurt shop murders, who has now been cleared of the charges.

Robert Brashers

The new suspect identified by the Austin Police Department as the lone perpetrator of the 1991 yogurt shop murders.

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What they’re saying

“We intend to advocate for and push for reform so what happened here in Austin will not happen either here or anywhere else in the state.”

— Mike Ware, Executive Director of Innocence Project of Texas (KXAN)

“When someone's deceased, how do you rectify it for them? The best that you can do is to honor them and remember. Like my mother said, 'What I want, no man can give, and what I need is for everyone to never forget.'”

— Cory Session, Brother of Tim Cole, who was wrongly accused and imprisoned (KXAN)

“His story is going to continue. It doesn't stop now. It'll live on through me.”

— Marisa Pierce, Daughter of Maurice Pierce (KXAN)

What’s next

The men and their families will discuss potential compensation and civil lawsuits for wrongful arrests and convictions. The Innocence Project of Texas also plans to advocate for legal reforms to prevent similar wrongful convictions in the future.

The takeaway

This case highlights the devastating impact of wrongful convictions and the urgent need for reform within the criminal justice system. The exoneration of these men after decades of injustice underscores the importance of thorough investigations, reliable evidence, and safeguards against false accusations and convictions.