Leo Schofield’s murder case captivates true crime enthusiasts
Leo Schofield’s life changed forever on June 24, 1988, when he was arrested for the murder of his late wife, Michelle Saum-Schofield. The investigation into Michelle’s death resulted in a web of testimonies, ultimately leading to Leo being convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Recently, ABC’s 20/20 revisited Leo’s trial and the circumstances surrounding Michelle’s death in an episode titled Last Seen in Lakeland. The episode, which originally aired on September 23, 2022, sheds light on the complexities of the case and Leo’s steadfast claims of innocence.
During an emotional interview with Amy Robach, Leo reiterated his innocence, stating, “Innocent is no part in it, no plan in it, didn’t know it was happening, didn’t know it was going to happen, and didn’t want it to happen. That is me.” The interview, conducted at the Hardee Correctional Institution in Bowling Green, Florida, where Leo was serving his sentence, delved into his emotional turmoil following Michelle’s tragic death.
True crime sleuths can catch the episode on June 7, 2024, at 9 pm EST on ABC. Additionally, Leo will provide a new interview for the show’s 2024 re-air, offering further insight into his perspective on the case.
Despite maintaining his innocence, Leo’s attempts to secure a retrial based on the confession of fellow Lakeland resident Jeremy Scott, who has since admitted to killing Michelle, have been denied. Leo’s motion for a retrial was initially rejected in May 2018 and again in May 2020.
After spending 35 years behind bars, Leo was granted parole on April 30, 2024. Fox13 reports that he is currently on conditional release, with his legal team seeking to have him exonerated. Some of the conditions of his release include transitioning to a halfway house and refraining from contacting Michelle’s family.
Leo Schofield’s case continues to intrigue and captivate true crime enthusiasts, as the unanswered questions and lingering doubts surrounding Michelle’s tragic death compel further exploration and analysis.
