Judge Formally Exonerates Four Men in 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders After DNA Ties Serial Killer Robert Brashers
On Feb. 19, 2026 a judge formally declared four men innocent and exonerated them in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders after DNA testing in September 2025 linked deceased serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers to evidence from the scene. Two of the four — Michael Scott and Forrest Welborn — attended the hearing (Robert Springsteen did not; Maurice Pierce died in 2010), and the "actual innocence" finding clears the way for state compensation and possible civil suits as attorneys and investigators (including retired detective John Jones) continue to pursue remaining evidence — including a bullet casing believed consistent with Brashers' gun — though the case is not yet officially closed.
📌 Key Facts
- On Feb. 19, 2026 a judge formally declared four previously accused men — Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn, Robert Springsteen and Maurice Pierce — innocent and exonerated them.
- Two of the men, Michael Scott and Forrest Welborn, are expected to attend the exoneration hearing; Robert Springsteen is not attending and Maurice Pierce died in 2010.
- Prosecutors’ planned retrials of Scott and Springsteen were halted in 2009 after new DNA pointed to an unknown male, a development that set the stage for a later identification.
- In September 2025 Austin police said DNA testing identified deceased serial killer and rapist Robert Eugene Brashers as the likely suspect tied to the yogurt shop killings.
- A bullet casing found in a drain at the yogurt shop is believed to be consistent with the gun Brashers used when he killed himself in 1999.
- Retired lead investigator John Jones says DNA tied Brashers to the crime; he has privately retained case files and described the long psychological toll and insomnia caused by the unsolved case.
- Despite the DNA link and the exoneration, officials say the case remains technically unsolved and investigators hope advancing DNA research and remaining evidence may still fully close it.
- A formal 'actual innocence' declaration is a key legal step for the men and their families to seek state compensation; attorneys are discussing restitution and are considering a civil lawsuit.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 19, 2026
8:38 PM
Bullet casing at yogurt shop links serial killer to the infamous murders
New information:
- Confirms that on Feb. 19, 2026, a judge formally declared the four previously accused men innocent and exonerated them.
- Reports that attorneys for the exonerated men are discussing restitution and considering a civil lawsuit.
- Details that Austin police in September 2025 identified deceased serial killer and rapist Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect via DNA testing.
- Provides that a bullet casing found in a drain at the yogurt shop is believed consistent with the gun Brashers used to kill himself in 1999.
- Names retired Austin detective John Jones as the investigator who says DNA tied Brashers to the crime.
8:38 PM
Families, investigators remain haunted by unsolved Texas yogurt shop murders
New information:
- Confirms again that in September 2025 Austin police identified deceased serial killer and rapist Robert Eugene Brashers as the likely suspect via DNA.
- Reiterates that on Feb. 19, 2026 a judge declared the four previously accused men innocent, formally exonerating them.
- Notes that attorneys for the exonerated men are discussing restitution and considering a civil lawsuit.
- Provides color and background from retired lead investigator John Jones, including his ongoing insomnia and private retention of case files, underscoring the psychological toll of the unsolved case.
- Clarifies that despite the DNA link to Brashers, the case remains technically unsolved, with investigators hoping advancing DNA research and remaining evidence may still fully close it.
11:29 AM
Men wrongfully accused of yogurt shop murders seek formal exoneration
New information:
- Confirms that two of the four men, Michael Scott and Forrest Welborn, are expected to attend the exoneration hearing; Robert Springsteen is not, and Maurice Pierce died in 2010.
- Spells out that a formal 'actual innocence' declaration is a key legal step needed for the men and their families to seek state compensation for years of wrongful imprisonment.
- Provides additional narrative detail on the original investigation: thousands of leads, destroyed evidence from the fire, and how coerced/conflicting confessions drove the prosecutions.
- Reiterates that prosecutors’ plans to retry Scott and Springsteen were halted in 2009 after new DNA pointed to an unknown male, setting the stage for the later Brashers identification.