Exonerated man's widow decries yogurt shop settlement as 'blood money'

Kimberli and Marisa Pierce, the widow and daughter of Maurice Pierce, will receive a $10 million share of Austin's $35 million settlement tied to the 1991 yogurt shop murders after the four suspects were exonerated in February 2026. They call the payout “blood money” and say the case is about broader reform, outlining seven proposed measures—such as a child advocate for minors, protections against deceptive interrogations, and better rights education and accountability in policing—as they pursue changes beyond financial compensation.