Murder Charges Dropped in 1989 Cold Case of 5-Year-Old Justin Turner

South Carolina judge rules fair trial impossible due to lost evidence and deceased witnesses, barring future prosecution.

Victor and Megan Turner were arrested in January 2024 for the 1989 murder of Justin Turner.
Judge Roger Young dismissed the charges citing unreliable evidence and the unavailability of over 20 key witnesses.
The couple maintained their innocence, and the judge barred any future charges against them for this case.
Defense attorneys highlighted potential links to serial killer Richard Evonitz, complicating the case further.
Prosecutors and the victim's family expressed disappointment in the outcome, citing failures in the original investigation.