A long-running wrongful conviction case tied to one of the most notorious crimes in Austin history is nearing its legal and financial conclusion, as the four men once accused in the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders are expected to receive a $35 million settlement, according to Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
The settlement involves Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn, and Maurice Pierce. According to the attorney representing Michael Scott, the total amount will be divided among the four men. The agreement is still pending final approval by the Austin City Council before it can be formally executed.
The case has cast a decades-long shadow over the city since the 1991 killings, which became one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in Texas. The legal resolution marks a significant step in closing a chapter that spanned more than three decades of investigations, trials, appeals, and eventual exonerations.
In February, a judge signed orders dismissing the cases against Springsteen, Scott, Welborn, and Pierce, formally clearing them after years of wrongful accusation. The dismissals followed a major breakthrough in the investigation that fundamentally altered the understanding of the case.
Last year, Austin Police disclosed that new forensic analysis—specifically ballistic and DNA evidence—linked serial killer Robert Brashers to the murders. That development provided the evidentiary basis for reopening the case and ultimately led to the dismissal of charges against the four men.
In a public statement, the City of Austin emphasized the emotional and historical weight of the case and the conclusion of its legal process:
“This settlement closes the final chapter of a devastating story in Austin’s history. For 34 years, our community sought answers to this senseless and heartbreaking crime, and, thanks to the dedicated commitment of the Austin Police Department, we delivered those answers in September 2025. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with those who were wrongly accused and wrongly convicted in this case and hope that this settlement brings a sense of closure to everyone affected by this horrific event.”
If approved by the City Council, the settlement would represent one of the largest wrongful conviction payouts in Texas history tied to a single case. It also underscores the long-term consequences of investigative errors and the evolving role of forensic science in revisiting cold cases.
