Sheila Keen-Warren was released from prison after serving 18 months for the 1990 murder of Marlene Warren, a case that had gone unsolved for decades until new DNA evidence emerged.

Keen-Warren's release highlights the complexities of a cold case that entwined allegations of infidelity, dubious evidence, and a plea deal that assured her freedom despite her maintaining innocence. Her prior connection to the victim's husband and the infamous clown costume linked to the crime have left lingering questions about both her guilt and the integrity of the investigation, drawing attention from legal experts and the public alike.

Sheila Keen-Warren, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was sentenced to 12 years in prison following the shocking 1990 murder of Marlene Warren. Despite her guilty plea, Keen-Warren has consistently maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal, which has spanned over three decades. Keen-Warren's plea deal was crafted by her attorney, Greg Rosenfeld, primarily as a strategic move to guarantee her release within two years, given the lengthy time the case remained unresolved.

The case gained notoriety due to the bizarre circumstances surrounding Marlene Warren's murder. On May 26, 1990, a person clad in a clown costume, who rang the doorbell, handed Marlene Warren balloons before fatally shooting her. The chilling nature of the crime shocked the community and cast a long shadow over the investigation, which struggled to produce leads for many years until advancements in DNA testing brought Keen-Warren back into focus as a suspect.

Sheila Keen-Warren was an employee at the car lot owned by Marlene Warren's husband, Michael Warren. It has been reported that Keen-Warren and Michael were involved in an extramarital affair at the time of the murder. Witnesses noted the potential for deep emotional motivations surrounding the crime, particularly as Marlene had expressed suspicions regarding her husband's fidelity, stating ominously that if anything were to happen to her, 'Mike done it.'

Despite being a major suspect for nearly three decades, it was not until 2017 that Keen-Warren was arrested, following the emergence of improved DNA testing technology. This advancement made it possible to revisit evidence that had previously been deemed inconclusive. Notably, detectives had identified Keen-Warren as the individual who purchased a clown suit just days prior to the murder, and a silver balloon from a nearby Publix was also linked to her through surveillance footage.

Further tying Keen-Warren to the crime was a stolen getaway car found by the authorities, which contained hair-like fibers matching those of Marlene Warren. This vehicle had been traced back to Michael Warren’s car lot, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. Although there were two potential suspects closely related to the victim, Michael Warren was never charged due to insufficient evidence connecting him directly to the crime.

Analyzing the integrity of the case, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg acknowledged the substantial issues, particularly the long delay before the trial, which may have impacted the evidence's validity. The defense team emphasized the weaknesses inherent in the case against Keen-Warren, arguing that some of the DNA evidence presented was ultimately unreliable.

Upon her release, State Attorney Aronberg expressed that Keen-Warren will always be viewed as an admitted convicted murderer, despite the circumstances of her plea deal. The terms of her release granted her a substantial reduction in the sentence she might have faced, leading to questions about whether justice was fully served for Marlene Warren, whose murder remains an open wound for her family.

As Keen-Warren navigates her life post-incarceration, the specter of her involvement in Marlene Warren's death will continue to resonate. The case remains a poignant reminder of the sometimes precarious nature of justice, particularly in cold cases where evidence may be lacking, or legal strategies shift the odds against a fair outcome.