New findings from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office could lead to the exoneration of a man serving a life sentence for the murder of 84-year old convenience store owner Evelyn Malin.
It happened in McGregor, Minnesota in 1998 and during a review by the office, new testimony and forensics were uncovered that could lead to the release of 61-year-old Brian Pippitt.
Pipitt's attorney Jim Cousins says the investigation found that the evidence pointed toward the crime being committed by someone who knew the victim, instead of a stranger burglary like the state previously concluded.
"This crime was committed by someone who had a key to the door," says Cousins. "And also, there was overkill. The victim was in bed and the only place in the entire premises that's disrupted is her bedroom. It appears that somebody was looking for somebody, and they had some motive to be angry with her."
Cousins says the Attorney Generals office started taking a second look at the case two years ago.
"They prepared a comprehensive 118 page report of their findings, really meticulous in every detail," Cousins explains. "Their conclusion is that Brian Pippitt is innocent of the charges against him."
Documents have been submitted on Pippitt's behalf and he awaits a decision from the Aitkin County Attorney’s Office concerning his potential release.