An Austin man was indicted in federal court on Wednesday in connection with the 1991 yogurt shop murders case.
Patric Norris Davidson, 37, was indicted on Tuesday for accessory after the fact, failing to report a felony and make false statement and obstruction of justice. After his court appearance, he was released on a $5,000 bond.
In 1991, Davidson was a friend of Michael Scott.
Scott was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Amy Ayers, 13, the youngest of four girls killed on Dec. 6., 1991 in a North Austin “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop. Robert Springsteen was also convicted and sentenced to death. Both men are awaiting appeals.
In January 2003, a third suspect, Maurice Pierce, was released from police custody when all charges against him were dropped. The district attorney cited a lack of evidence to bring Pierce’s case to trial. Both Scott and Springsteen confessed to the crimes and implicated Pierce. Pierce never confessed. Both Scott and Springsteen later recanted their confessions, saying they were coerced.
In his statement, Scott claimed to have hidden a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol used in the murders in a brown paper bag. He said he gave that bag to Davidson and asked him to hide it in a creek. The gun has never been found.
After making his confession, Scott contacted Davidson and told him to tell police about the bag, if they asked. Davidson agreed and that’s the story he told police when he was interviewed. This indictment stems from those false written and spoken statements to police.
Police also believe that Scott made false statements to prevent Scott from being arrested.
If convicted on all counts, Davidson faces 28 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office may be putting pressure on Davidson to disclose the true location of the gun, if he knows, or testify against Pierce, since the case against him still remains open. If police can find the gun, they are certain they can link it to Pierce and secure a conviction, a source close to the case said.
Also killed in the yogurt shop murders were Eliza Thomas, 17, and sisters Sarah, 15, and Jennifer Harbison, 17.
Charges against a fourth suspect, Forrest Welborn, were dropped after two grand juries failed to indict him.
This report contains some information from the Associated Press.
