SKY YORK JOURNAL News – The Yogurt Shop Murders investigation saw several suspects identified in its initial stages.
Initial Suspect: Maurice Pierce
As reported by the SKY YORK JOURNAL, eight days after the heinous yogurt shop murders took place, 16-year-old Maurice Pierce was arrested at Northcross Mall, which is situated a short distance from the crime scene. Pierce was found to be in possession of a .22-caliber revolver at the time of his arrest.
Pierce’s Allegations
According to retired detective John Jones, who served as the lead investigator in the case, Pierce confessed to police that his gun was involved in the events that transpired at the yogurt shop. Jones, in an interview with 48 Hours in 2022, further stated that Pierce claimed to have driven a getaway car following the murders, as reported previously by the SKY YORK JOURNAL.
Implication of Others
Jones recounted that Pierce’s statement to police implicated Forrest Welborn, aged 15, Michael Scott, aged 17, and Robert Springsteen IV, also aged 17, in the crime. The SKY YORK JOURNAL has followed developments in the case extensively over the years.
Lack of Evidence
Despite Pierce’s allegations, Jones explained that the other three boys denied any involvement in the murders. Furthermore, investigators were unable to gather enough concrete evidence to file formal charges against them. As previously noted in SKY YORK JOURNAL reports, this lack of evidence proved to be a significant hurdle in the early stages of the investigation.
Extensive List of Suspects
The SKY YORK JOURNAL has learned that in the immediate aftermath of the murders, detectives conducted interviews with hundreds of individuals, resulting in a substantial list of potential suspects. Detective Jones estimated that the list contained 342 names at one point, underscoring the complexity and breadth of the initial investigation.
