Photos: Looking back at Laurie 'Bambi' Bembenek's murder conviction
Could one of Wisconsin's most famous convicted killers finally be granted a pardon nearly nine years after her death? The lawyer for the late Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, a former Playboy Club bunny and Milwaukee police officer, is appealing to Gov. Tony Evers to grant her a posthumous pardon. Bembenek was convicted in 1982 of killing her husband's ex-wife after complaining about the alimony he had to pay. But she always maintained her innocence, and her lawyer says that new ballistics and DNA evidence prove it. Bembenek's case was well-known nationally after she escaped prison and fled to Canada, inspiring the slogan "Run, Bambi, Run," and a movie about her life. In 1992, she reached a plea deal with prosecutors, who set aside her conviction and allowed her to plead no contest to a lesser charge so she could get out of prison and be put on probation. But Bembenek always wanted to be cleared fully in the homicide up until the time of her death in 2010. Here's a look at how the case unfolded over the years.
Bembenek takes the oath
Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek takes an oath to tell the truth at her trial in 1982. Her given first name was Lawrencia.
Bembenek testifies, 1982
Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, then 23 years old, testifies during her murder trial in 1982. Her given first name was Lawrencia.
Murder victim Christine Schultz
Murder victim Christine Schultz is pictured in 1981.
Fred Schultz testifies, 1982
Fred Schultz, Laurie Bembenek's husband, testifies at her trial Feb. 27, 1982, in the death of his ex-wife, Christine Schultz.
Talking to reporters
Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek, shown with her attorney, Donald Eisenberg as they talk to reporters Oct. 20, 1981, during a court hearing on her murder charge. She was found guilty of first-degree murder for the slaying of Christine Schultz.
Bembenek in 1986
Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek in 1986.
Appeals court hearing in 1986
Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek attends an appeals court hearing in 1986.
Bembenek in court, 1991
Laurie "Bambi" Bembenek attends an immigration hearing in Ontario on April 23, 1991.
Laurie Bembenek in 1992
Flanked by her attorneys Frank Morocco, left, and Sheldon T. Zenner, right, convicted murderer Laurie Bembenek answers questions at a new conference in Chicago in December 1992. She won her freedom after 10 years in prison under a deal in which her original conviction was set aside, allowing her to plead no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and was placed on parole. She still maintained her innocence.
Bembenek in 1993
Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek speaks in 1993 at UW- Parkside, where she earned a liberal arts degree in humanities. A TV movie called "Woman on the Run," based on Bembenek's book starred Tatum O'Neal that year.
Bembenek's drug charge in 1996
Laurie "Bambi'' Bembenek, a convicted murderer whose escape from prison and subsequent recapture inspired a television movie, is shown being booked into jail Feb. 25, 1996, after Milwaukee police searched her apartment and reportedly found a marijuana cigarette and 3.8 grams of cocaine. She legally changed her first name from Lawrencia to Laurie in 1994.
Bembenek in 2002
Laurie Bembenek is pictured in 2002, the same year that DNA results released in court showed that none of her DNA was found on any of the 15 items tested. She continued for years to fight in court -- citing DNA and ballistics testing -- to clear her name, but she did so from afar. In 1996, Wisconsin authorities gave her permission to transfer her parole to the state of Washington to be closer to her parents.
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