Florida's killer clown released from prison

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Sheila Keen-Warren, who became infamous as Florida’s “killer clown” after dressing as a clown and fatally shooting Marlene Warren in 1990, was released from prison over the weekend. The 61-year-old served seven years behind bars following her 2017 arrest for the decades-old murder, a case that had gone unsolved for nearly three decades.

Keen-Warren was accused of killing Marlene Warren, 40, outside her home in Wellington, Florida. The victim was shot in the face at point-blank range by an assailant dressed in a clown costume, who then fled in a white Chrysler LeBaron. The case turned cold until Keen-Warren, who later married the victim’s husband, Michael Warren, was arrested based on new evidence in 2017.

Last year, Keen-Warren reached a plea deal, accepting a reduced charge of second-degree murder after facing a first-degree murder charge. She was sentenced to 12 years in prison but received credit for time served and good behavior, which led to her early release, according to Florida Department of Corrections officials. Records show she began officially serving the sentence on May 16, 2023.

The case was complicated by issues that reportedly hindered the prosecution, including deteriorating DNA evidence, deceased witnesses, and other challenges that emerged over the decades. These obstacles ultimately led to the plea deal, which allowed Keen-Warren to avoid a potentially longer sentence.

Despite accepting the plea, Keen-Warren has continued to assert her innocence, claiming she did not commit the crime. Her release has renewed public interest in the notorious case, which was widely covered in the media due to its unusual nature and the shocking circumstances surrounding the murder.

Keen-Warren’s release closes a chapter in one of Florida’s most notorious cold cases, though many questions about the crime remain unanswered.

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