A woman who was convicted for the 1990 murder of her husband's then-wife, dressed as a clown, has been released from prison after serving seven years. Sheila Keen, 61, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2022, ending a strange case that has fascinated the public for decades. The case, which involved a bizarre murder and a long investigation, had been closely followed by Floridians and people around the world.

The incident occurred on May 26, 1990, when Marlene Warren, the wife of used car salesman Michael Warren, was shot in the face by a person dressed as a clown. Marlene answered the door to find the clown holding balloons. After briefly commenting on the balloons, the clown pulled out a gun and shot her before fleeing. At the time, the shooting seemed like a random, senseless crime. However, investigators soon discovered troubling evidence that linked Sheila Keen-Warren to the crime.

"Strange case even by Florida standards”

Terry Spencer

The Investigation and Arrest

For nearly 30 years, authorities suspected Sheila Keen-Warren, who had worked for Michael Warren at his car lot, of being involved in the killing. However, it wasn't until 2017 that she was arrested, after improved DNA testing linked her to evidence found in the getaway car used by the clown. The car had been stolen from Michael Warren's lot before the murder, and investigators found hair fibres in the vehicle. Though some experts have criticised the strength of the DNA evidence, it was enough to bring Sheila Keen-Warren to trial.

At the time of the shooting, Sheila Keen was an employee of Marlene Warren’s husband, Michael, at his used car lot. Since 2002, she has been his wife — they eventually moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where they ran a restaurant just across the Tennessee border. Witnesses told investigators in 1990 that the then-Sheila Keen and Michael Warren were having an affair, though both denied it.

Keen-Warren had maintained her innocence even after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in 2022. As part of a plea deal, she was sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, after serving seven years, she was released due to Florida’s good behaviour laws. It had been expected that she would be released in about two years, considering the time she had already served. Sheila’s lawyer, Barry Rosenfeld, has expressed his belief that the evidence against his client was weak and that she should not have been convicted.

Despite her release, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg stated that Sheila Keen-Warren will always be remembered as a convicted murderer, which will "stain" her for the rest of her life.

"If anything happens to me, Mike done it".

Marlene Warren

Marlene Warren's Family and the Case's Unanswered Questions

Marlene Warren’s son, Joseph Ahrens, was at home when his mother was killed. He was one of the first to describe the clown to investigators. Over the years, witnesses reported seeing Sheila Keen-Warren purchasing the clown costume and balloons from local shops before the crime. However, many aspects of the case remain unclear, particularly the role of Michael Warren. Marlene Warren had suspected her husband of having an affair with Sheila, and she had reportedly told her mother that "if anything happens to me, Mike done it".

Despite this, Michael Warren has never been charged with any crime related to his wife's death. He did serve prison time in the 1990s for unrelated charges, including racketeering and theft, and some have speculated that his involvement in the murder may have been overlooked by authorities.

Ongoing Debate Over the Evidence

As more DNA testing and evidence were examined, questions about the strength of the case emerged. Some of the DNA samples found in the getaway car contained both male and female genes, raising doubts about whether the evidence could be tied specifically to Sheila Keen-Warren. Furthermore, some witnesses who had seen the car after the murder claimed it was not the vehicle used in the killing. While the investigation had many complications, Sheila Keen-Warren's conviction has remained a subject of intense debate.

The Aftermath

Despite the unresolved questions, Sheila Keen-Warren's release from prison marks the end of a long legal battle. She now lives with her husband, Michael Warren, in Abingdon, Virginia, where the couple runs a restaurant. The case has drawn attention due to its bizarre nature, and the public continues to speculate about the true events surrounding Marlene Warren's death.

Vocabulary List:

1. Plea deal (noun) –  An agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.
   • Example: The plea deal calls for him to serve at least 15 years in prison.
2. Racketeering (noun) –  Criminal activity, often involving illegal business practices such as fraud or extortion.
   • Example: He was held on racketeering charges but released last week.
3. DNA testing – (noun)  A scientific method used to identify individuals based on their genetic material.
   • Example: The case couldn't be brought to trial becasue of the lack of DNA proof.
4. Fibres (noun) –   Small, thread-like pieces of material that can be used as evidence in a crime investigation.
   • Example: The basket comes lined with natural coconut fibers.
5. Good behaviour (noun) –  A legal term referring to a prisoner following the rules and showing good conduct, which can lead to early release.
   • Example: The convict's sentence was reduced for good behavior.
6. To stain (verb) –  A metaphorical term meaning something that causes lasting damage to one's reputation. It can also be used to describe leaving a mark on a material for example a food stain.
   • Example: A wrong business decision could stain his reputation.
   • Example: Sorry, I didn't mean to stain my clothes.
7. Aftermath (singular noun) –  The consequences or after-effects of a significant unpleasant event.
   • Example: The food prices went up in the aftermath of the drought
8. Unanswered questions (noun)–  Issues or details in a case that have not been resolved or explained.
   • Example: Questions from local residents remained unanswered.

Discussion Questions and Topics:

1. What was the reason Sheila Keen-Warren was released from prison?
2. What did witnesses report seeing before Marlene Warren was shot?
3. What were some of the issues with the DNA evidence in this case?
4. What do you think about the use of plea deals in criminal cases?
   • Should people be able to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence?
5. How important do you think DNA evidence is in solving crimes?
   • Can it sometimes be misleading?
6. Why do you think this case has drawn so much attention from the public?
7. Do you think Michael Warren was involved in his wife’s death?
   • Why or why not?