Deal With Prosecutors Frees Woman in ‘Bambi’ Murder Case

MILWAUKEE — Convicted killer Lawrencia (Bambi) Bembenek’s long fight to prove that she was an innocent victim of a conspiracy ended Wednesday when a judge reduced her life prison sentence to 20 years and she was released.

The former police officer and Playboy Club waitress struck a deal with prosecutors in which she pleaded no contest to a reduced charge in the 1981 slaying of her then-husband’s ex-wife.

In exchange, Bembenek gave up her right to appeal her new conviction. Earlier this week, defense lawyer Sheldon T. Zenner filed a motion for a new trial citing new evidence.

Bembenek was freed on parole Wednesday several hours after a hearing in which a judge approved the deal.

“She is going home,” Zenner said. “She has done all the time she could do on a 20-year sentence.”

Bembenek, 34, gained notoriety with claims that she was framed by police. She received international attention with a prison escape in 1990 that ended when she was captured in Canada.

Bembenek was convicted of first-degree murder in 1982 for the death of her husband’s ex-wife. That verdict was reversed Wednesday and she pleaded no contest to second-degree murder.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Donohoo said his office maintained that Bembenek was guilty but acknowledged it would be difficult to obtain a second conviction if she were granted a new trial. He noted that some witnesses have died and people’s memories have faded.

“I believe this is a just resolution of this matter,” he said after the hearing. “I’m glad it’s over.”

Zenner’s motion for a new trial contended the gun prosecutors said was the murder weapon did not kill the victim and that witnesses lied or embellished their stories.