Officials look into death of Stephanie Brinson, who’s second person in a year to die during family visit at Ione facility

Summary

Stephanie Diane Dowells, 62, was strangled during an overnight visit with her husband, David Brinson, at Mule Creek state prison in California.

Brinson, serving life without parole for four murders, claimed Dowells passed out, but authorities ruled her death a homicide.

This marks the second strangulation death during a family visit at the prison in a year; Tania Thomas was killed in July 2024 while visiting inmate Anthony Curry. Investigations are ongoing.

California is one of four states allowing family visits to maintain positive relationships.

  • lumony@lemmings.worldEnglish
    22·
    5 days ago

    I don’t have an issue with the death penalty.

    The pushback against the death penalty and the idea that prisons are for “rehabilitation” instead of punishment is really just new-age nonsense by people who are afraid of the real world.

    It’s why we pretty much only see them making these arguments on the internet; it’s the only place they can survive.