A woman accused of shooting her romantic rival dressed as a clown has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after more than three decades of the crime.
The victim, Marlene Warren, was shot by a clown who handed her balloons and carnations with a message “You’re the Greatest” in May 1990.
Who is Sheila Keen Warren? Florida Killer Clown
The woman who dressed as a clown and shot Marlene Warren, was identified as Sheila Keen Warren with the help of DNA evidence in 2017. Despite maintaining her innocence, Keen Warren has accepted the plea deal of guilty.
Keen Warren married Michael Warren, the widowed husband of Marlene Warren in 2002. It was alleged that Keen Warren and Michael Warren had an affair, but both of them denied it.
Keen Warren has already spent six years in prison since she was arrested in 2017. As part of the plea deal, she has agreed to serve a 12-year sentence. Keen Warren will likely serve no more than two years in prison for the crime.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said that the plea deal had helped obtain justice for Marlene Warren and her son. Keen Warren has admitted to being the clown that killed Marlene Warren, and will now have to live with the tag of a convicted murderer.
Keen Warren’s lawyer, Greg Rosenfeld, maintained that Keen Warren was not the killer and called the plea deal an “incredible win” for her. Rosenfeld stated that Keen Warren had only accepted the plea deal because it guaranteed her release in ten months, which was better than getting executed.
Keen Warren’s trial was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues over evidence. If she was convicted at trial, she would have received a minimum of 25 years in prison. Keen Warren will have to spend at least two more years in prison before she is eligible for release.
Marlene Warren believed that Michael Warren was cheating on her and wanted to leave him, but she was afraid of what would happen to her if she did. Marlene allegedly told her mother that “if anything happens to me, Mike done it.” However, Michael Warren was never charged for her murder and denied any involvement in it.
Aiva Arthur
