Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek (1958–2010) was a former Milwaukee police officer convicted in 1982 for the murder of Christine Schultz, the ex-wife of her then-husband, MPD Detective Fred Schultz. Maintaining her innocence throughout her life, Bembenek alleged she was framed by corrupt police officials. Her 1990 prison escape, capture in Canada, and eventual 1992 Alford plea make her case one of the most contentious chapters in modern American criminal jurisprudence.
Early Life and Service in the Milwaukee Police Department
Born Lawrencia Ann Bembenek in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 15, 1958, she pursued a career in law enforcement following her graduation from Bryant & Stratton College with a degree in criminal justice. In March 1980, Bembenek joined the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) as one of its relatively few female officers during a period characterized by internal racial and gender tensions within the force.
Her tenure with the department was brief and marked by controversy. Bembenek spoke openly regarding departmental misconduct, police brutality, and systemic gender discrimination. In August 1980, following an incident involving off-duty marijuana usage by fellow officers at a public concert—an incident she reported—she was dismissed from the force for alleged official misconduct during her probationary period. Bembenek subsequently filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), citing wrongful termination and retaliatory discharge.
In late 1980, Bembenek married Elfred "Fred" Schultz, a veteran MPD detective who had previously been married to Christine Schultz. This connection directly intertwined Bembenek's personal life with ongoing internal departmental conflicts and financial disputes surrounding alimony and child support payments between Fred and his former spouse.
The Homicide of Christine Schultz and Initial Investigation
On the morning of May 28, 1981, Christine Schultz was found bound, gagged, and shot to death in her Milwaukee home. Her two young sons were present in the house during the intrusion. According to initial eyewitness reports from the children, a masked intruder broke into the residence, tied up the victim, and fired a single fatal shot into her back at close range.
The investigation quickly centered on Laurie Bembenek and Fred Schultz:
- Motive: Prosecutors asserted that financial strain caused by alimony payments, combined with animosity between the parties, motivated the crime.
- Access: Investigators noted that the weapon used in the murder was a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver—a standard-issue police firearm assigned to Fred Schultz.
- Physical Evidence: A hair sample matching Bembenek’s characteristics was allegedly recovered from a bandana found near the crime scene, and a key to Christine Schultz's home was found in the apartment shared by Fred Schultz and Bembenek.
Defense attorneys maintained that the physical evidence was compromised or planted. Ballistics experts debated whether the bullet recovered from the victim definitively matched Fred Schultz’s service weapon, which had been left in the couple's shared apartment while Fred was allegedly on duty. Furthermore, critical lead evidence was handled by members of the MPD who were subjects of Bembenek's EEOC complaints.
The 1982 Murder Trial and Conviction
The trial began in early 1982 under intense media scrutiny. Local news outlets dubbed Bembenek "Bambi"—a nickname given to her during a brief modeling stint prior to her police career, which she vehemently rejected. The prosecution built its case around circumstantial evidence and forensic testimony from state analysts:
- Ballistics Identification: State forensic experts testified that microscopic striations on the bullet recovered from Christine Schultz matched test shots fired from Fred Schultz’s off-duty revolver.
- Hair and Fiber Evidence: Crime lab personnel testified that hair fibers recovered from the crime scene were microscopic matches to Bembenek’s hair.
- Witness Testimony: Witnesses testified regarding financial tension surrounding Fred Schultz's alimony payments.
The defense, led by attorney Donald Eisenberg, argued that the physical evidence was unreliable and that the MPD possessed significant institutional bias against Bembenek. The defense raised the possibility of alternative suspects within law enforcement, citing internal police corruption and ongoing federal investigations into MPD practices.
On March 9, 1982, the jury found Lawrencia Bembenek guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
The 1990 Prison Escape and the "Run, Bambi, Run" Phenomenon
While incarcerated at Taycheedah, Bembenek exhausted initial state post-conviction appeals while continuously asserting her innocence. She organized defense funds, engaged private investigators, and attracted significant public support from legal reform advocates who viewed her trial as tainted by police misconduct.
On July 15, 1990, Bembenek successfully escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution by crawling through a laundry room window and escaping across the prison grounds. She was assisted by Dominic Gugliatto, the brother of her cellmate.
The escape captured international media attention. In Milwaukee, public sympathy manifested in T-shirts, bumper stickers, and rallies bearing the slogan "Run, Bambi, Run." The public response reflected broader skepticism toward the Milwaukee Police Department during an era highlighted by federal investigations into municipal police conduct.
| ESCAPE TIMELINE: JULY - OCTOBER 1990 |
|---|
| July 15, 1990: Escapes Taycheedah Correctional Institution |
| July - Aug 1990: Flees across state lines into Canada with Dominic Gugliatto |
| Oct 27, 1990: Captured by Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Thunder Bay, ON |
Legal Significance of the Flight The flight to Canada shifted the jurisdiction of the legal battle to the Canadian federal court system. Canadian extradition law required a review of whether the original conviction satisfied international standards of due process, enabling Bembenek's legal team to introduce newly uncovered forensic evidence before Canadian authorities.
Bembenek and Gugliatto settled in Thunder Bay, Ontario, living under assumed names until an anonymous viewer tip following an episode of America's Most Wanted led to their arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on October 27, 1990.
Canadian Legal Fights, Re-examination of Evidence, and the Alford Plea
Following her arrest in Thunder Bay, Bembenek sought political asylum in Canada, claiming she was the victim of a fraudulent prosecution by American authorities. Canadian legal proceedings delayed her extradition, allowing her legal team—supported by private investigator Ira Robins and attorney Sheldon Zenner—time to re-examine the original physical evidence.
Subsequent investigations uncovered substantial flaws in the original 1982 prosecution:
- Ballistics Discrepancies: Independent forensic re-examination revealed that the bullet that killed Christine Schultz did not match Fred Schultz’s off-duty revolver. Later testing indicated the bullet had features consistent with a different firearm model altogether.
- Hair Sample Contamination: Re-analysis of the hair evidence demonstrated that the samples presented at trial were improperly stored, cross-contaminated, and inadequately analyzed by modern standard operating procedures.
- Withheld Evidence: Evidence files revealed that police investigators had withheld alternative suspect leads, including reports of a male suspect seen near the victim's house wearing a dark jacket, matching information that was not disclosed to the original defense team.
Faced with mounting evidentiary challenges and international judicial scrutiny, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office agreed to a plea bargain. In December 1992, Bembenek’s 1981 first-degree murder conviction was officially vacated.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bembenek entered an Alford Plea—a special plea in American law where the defendant maintains factual innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction—to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison, which was immediately commuted to time served, allowing her release on probation.
Forensic Evidence and Trial Procedure Comparison
The table below outlines the core evidence presented during the original 1982 trial alongside the findings established during subsequent appellate investigations and re-examinations.
| Forensic / Evidentiary Category | 1982 Prosecution Claim | Subsequent Re-Examination & Appellate Findings | Status Impact on Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballistics Evidence | Fatal bullet matched Fred Schultz's .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. | Independent ballistics testing revealed striation mismatch; bullet showed characteristics of a different weapon class. | Substantially Impaired |
| Microscopic Hair Analysis | Hair found on scene matched Laurie Bembenek's physical profile. | Samples suffered severe chain-of-custody gaps; modern DNA comparison failed to establish a definitive match. | Discredited |
| Witness Identification | Victim's children described intruder height and build matching Bembenek. | Children's initial statements described a taller, broader intruder; initial police interview notes were undisclosed at trial. | Impeached |
| Crime Scene Access / Keys | Duplicate key to Christine Schultz's home found in apartment shared by Bembenek. | Key provenance disputed; witnesses alleged keys were seized during unrecorded police searches without search warrants. | Questioned |
| Alternative Suspect Leads | Male intruder hypothesis ruled out by MPD lead investigators. | Internal memos indicated uninvestigated reports of alternative male suspects linked to local underworld figures. | Withheld Brady Material |
Post-Release Life, Clemency Petitions, and Death
Following her release in December 1992, Bembenek authored an autobiography, Woman on Trial, detailing her experiences within the criminal justice system and the Milwaukee Police Department. She moved to Washington State and later California, seeking to rebuild her life while continuing legal efforts to secure a full executive pardon.
Bembenek filed multiple petitions for an executive pardon with successive Wisconsin Governors:
- Governor Tommy Thompson: Petition denied; state authorities cited the valid entry of the 1992 Alford plea.
- Governor Jim Doyle: Petition submitted with updated DNA test results; petition remained unacted upon at the conclusion of his term.
In her later years, Bembenek faced severe health challenges, including chronic pain, hepatitis C, and complications resulting from a 2002 confinement incident in California that led to the partial amputation of her leg.
Laurie Bembenek died of liver failure in Portland, Oregon, on November 20, 2010, at the age of 52. Up until her death, she actively pursued full legal exoneration.
Impact on Criminal Justice Reform and Media Representation
The Bembenek case remains an frequently cited case study in criminal procedure, evidence preservation, and media influence on trial outcomes.
- 1981 Homicide Event
- 1982 Murder Trial & Conviction
- 1990 Escape to Thunder Bay, ON
- Canadian Extradition & Evidence Review
- 1992 Conviction Vacated / Alford Plea
- Posthumous Legal Exoneration Efforts
Forensic and Procedural Lessons
The case demonstrated the vulnerability of microscopic hair comparison and early ballistics matching when subjected to modern forensic standards like mitochondrial DNA analysis and automated firearm identification systems. It highlighted the operational risks of law enforcement departments investigating internal personnel or individuals involved in employment disputes with the agency.
Brady v. Maryland Compliance
The post-conviction disclosures in the Bembenek case served as a high-profile example of Brady violations, wherein the prosecution fails to turn over exculpatory evidence to the defense. The withholding of alternative suspect reports provided the primary legal basis for vacating the original 1982 murder verdict.
Media Coverage Dynamics
The moniker "Bambi Bembenek" illustrated the impact of tabloid journalism on criminal proceedings. News outlets frequently prioritized sensationalized personal details over technical evidentiary issues, influencing public perception and complicate jury selection processes. The case inspired numerous books, television movies, podcasts, and documentaries exploring wrongful conviction claims.
For additional documentation on post-conviction review standards and legal frameworks governing exculpatory evidence, consult resources maintained by the National Institute of Justice and official state court archives at the Wisconsin State Law Library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Laurie Bembenek ever receive an official pardon?
No. Despite numerous petitions filed with Wisconsin state governors based on post-conviction DNA testing and ballistics re-examinations, Laurie Bembenek was never granted a formal executive pardon before her death in 2010.
What is an Alford plea, and why did Bembenek enter one in 1992?
An Alford plea is a guilty plea where the defendant maintains factual innocence but admits that the state has sufficient evidence to convict. Bembenek entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder in 1992 to secure her immediate release from prison with a sentence reduced to time served, rather than remaining incarcerated during an extended re-trial process.
Who actually killed Christine Schultz?
The crime remains officially solved under Wisconsin law due to Bembenek’s 1992 conviction via Alford plea. However, defense investigators, journalists, and forensic analysts have pointed to alternative suspects, including hitmen allegedly connected to corrupt law enforcement officers, though no secondary charges were ever filed by prosecutors.
How did the Canadian government become involved in the case?
After escaping from prison in 1990, Bembenek fled to Canada. When captured in Ontario, she applied for refugee status, claiming her American conviction was the result of police corruption and administrative fraud. Canadian extradition review procedures allowed her legal team time to uncover ballistics discrepancies that ultimately led Wisconsin courts to vacate her original sentence.
