We ask you to support this petition to call (i) for an independent investigation into the 1995 murder of Lander and Bobbie Spears in Franklinton, Louisiana, and (ii) the rehearing of Shanda Crain’s case. On January 25, 1995, Bobbie and Lander Spears were murdered. To this day, those involved have not been convicted of the crime. 

In 1995, Shanda was framed for the crime. Following a rushed investigation, Shanda Crain was asked to report to the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office for regular questioning due to a ‘hunch’ that lead detective, Mike Varnado, had. In reality, Shanda’s husband — who was close friends with the Varnado’s — tipped them off that he believed Shanda had murdered her parents. Shanda complied with their request, as she had throughout the investigation. This would be her last decision as a free woman.

After subjecting Shanda to a strip-search, fingerprinting her, and taking a mugshot, officers placed Shanda in a urine-soaked padded cell for 4 hours. All without probable cause. During this period, a baptist minister informed Shanda that if she confessed, God would forgive her. Following this, investigators interrogated her for 1.5 hours — providing Shanda with false evidence and false promises of help. During the last half hour, officers began recording and Shanda confessed to the crime. She immediately recanted her statements.

Over a two-year period, Shanda’s trial proceeded. On January 21, 1997, Shanda was convicted for the murder of her parents despite:

• No forensic evidence linking her to the crime.
• No viable or believable motive was presented for the murders.
• A witness testimony from her 10-year-old daughter was later fully recanted and claimed to be coercively attained

The presiding judge did not believe that Shanda’s motive was viable. The media claimed that Shanda was motivated by an alleged gambling addiction, and her story was sensationalized in the local press. Following the trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict, and due to an undecided sentencing decision, Shanda was sentenced to life without parole.

Since her sentencing, Shanda has exhausted all of her appeals. Despite the exposure of police misconduct in her case, Shanda is currently in the clemency application process through the Pardon and Parole Board.

Shanda has been incarcerated for 27 years at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in Baton Rouge for a crime she did not commit. She has tried every avenue possible to get her case heard and reviewed, but a nefarious web of political and legal corruption has inhibited his actions every step of the way — a new, clean investigation is needed!

Help #BringShandaHome.