Cause of death Gunshot wounds | Known for Murder victim | |
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Full Name Michelle O'Keefe Died Feb. 22, 2000Palmdale, California, U.S. Parents Michael O'Keefe (father)Patricia O'Keefe (mother) | ||
Michelle O'Keefe was an 18-year-old American college student and aspiring actress who was murdered in Palmdale, California on her way home from appearing in a Kid Rock music video. The case has attracted significant media national attention, including episodes of America's Most Wanted and Dateline NBC.
In 2005, Iraq-war veteran Sgt. Raymond Lee Jennings was arrested for the murder, and after three trials he was sentenced to life in prison. After serving 11 years of his sentence, Jennings was exonerated and freed from prison. The Los Angeles District Attorney was persuaded of Jennings' innocence after a law student, Clinton Ehrlich, saw the case on television and began an investigation with his father, attorney Jeffrey Ehrlich.
The Los Angeles Times editorial board has pointed to Jennings' exoneration as a vindication of the Conviction Review Unit created by District Attorney Jackie Lacey.