Who is Leo Schofield?
It was in 1986 that Leo (20) and Michelle (17) first met high school dropouts, only to develop such an instant connection that they couldn’t stay away. They moved in together soon after and eventually married after their Southside Assembly of God Church reportedly paid for the entire wedding to help them “quit living in sin.” Everything changed six months into their (already tumultuous) marriage when Michelle was murdered in one of the most heinous ways imaginable; she was stabbed 26 times.
Is Leo Schofield Still In Jail?
Leo was sentenced to life in prison after his conviction and has spent the past 30+ years in a state facility, never wavering from his claims of innocence. That’s clear from his numerous appeal filings over the years, particularly after Jeremy Lynn Scott was linked to the case via a fingerprint and allegedly confessed (he later recanted), but to no avail. “Innocent is no part in it, no plan in it, didn’t know it was happening, didn’t know it was going to happen and didn’t want it to happen,” Leo said in 2022 on ABC’s “20/20.” “That is me.”
Reference Source: TheCinemaholic
Where is Leo Schofield now?
While the former aspiring band member admitted to slapping his wife Michelle twice on the stands in court, he claimed he was not physically violent during the incident. “Physical abuse is one type of abuse, and then you have the emotional abuse, which I’m guilty of,” Leo admitted. “I did a lotta yelling…and I wasn’t beyond punching a wall and being very theatrical.”
Leo Robert Schofield Jr., 57, is incarcerated at the mixed-security Hardee Correctional Institution in Bowling Green, Florida. He will be eligible for parole in 2023, but Leo, his second wife Crissie Carter, their daughter Ashley, and The Innocence Project of Florida are still fighting for his acquittal. They want to clear his name and bring Michelle what they believe is justice.
Reference Source: TheCinemaholic
How Did Leo Get Captured?
The truth is that Leo (who reported Michelle missing) was quickly suspected due to the accounts of their neighbours, friends, and family members indicating an abusive relationship with fights at every turn. While some witnesses reported numerous verbal outbursts, others claimed he was not only physical but had also threatened his wife’s life at one point. As a result, when a neighbour claimed she overheard the couple arguing on that fateful night, only to see Leo leave after shoving a large object into his trunk, the doubts multiplied.
The Schofield trailer home was allegedly identified as the crime scene even though there was a lot of blood/evidence at the location where Michelle was discovered did not help Leo’s case either. While there were significant discrepancies in the neighbour’s account, the 20 other character witnesses who testified on his violent tendencies bolstered the prosecutors’ case. Leo was arrested and charged with murder in June 1988; he was found guilty after two hours of jury deliberation in 1989 when he was only 21. It is critical to note that no physical evidence was presented against him.
Reference Source: TheCinemaholic
How can I watch Leo’s episode of 20/20?
Last Seen in Lakeland, an episode of ABC’s 20/20, revisits Leo’s trial and the investigation into Michelle’s death. True crime sleuths can catch Last Seen in Lakeland on the network mentioned above on September 23, 2022, at 9 pm EST. In addition, those who missed the original ABC broadcast can catch up on Leo and Michelle’s episode by streaming it on Hulu.
During the sit-down, the prisoner recalls the day police recovered Michelle’s corpse and says to Amy: “I was so angry at God at that moment.
“I ripped my shirt off. I punched a tree, punched the ground, pulling grass out of the ground.”
Regarding Jeremy Scott’s confession and the court’s dismissal for a retrial, he states: “I have a lot of anger about it. He murdered my wife. It’s a hard thing to forgive.”
Reference Source: The Sun
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