At a Glance
- Jeremy Motyka claims police planted DNA evidence in the 2001 murder of Angela Spence-Shaw.
- He argues his trial attorney was ineffective and presents an alibi and fingerprint evidence.
- A new post-conviction hearing is pending in Washington County Superior Court.
Why it matters: The case highlights ongoing concerns about forensic integrity and the right to a fair trial.
The man convicted of murdering a 66-year-old Rhode Island grandmother now seeks a new trial nearly 25 years after his conviction. Jeremy Motyka says police planted DNA evidence and that his defense was ineffective.
Background of the Case
In 2001, a 23-year-old Motyka was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault in the death of Angela Spence-Shaw, who was discovered beaten in her bathtub with a plugged-in hair dryer. Spence-Shaw was 66 and lived on Sakonnet Point Road in Little Compton. Motyka was working with a construction crew renovating her home at the time of the murder.
The conviction followed a 1999 crime in which Motyka also received a life sentence without parole for the rape and murder of another Rhode Island grandmother.
New Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Motyka is now claiming that:
- Police planted the DNA evidence used to convict him.
- His trial attorney was ineffective and did not provide him with all necessary information.
- He had an alibi during the time Spence-Shaw was believed to have died.
- Fingerprints found at the scene do not link him to the crime.
A motion for post-conviction relief was argued earlier this month in Washington County Superior Court. The judge asked both sides to submit written arguments for review in the spring. This hearing follows a 2017 Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling that granted Motyka the right to an evidentiary hearing after an earlier request was denied.
> “The defense was not given all the information needed to properly represent him at trial,” said Michael DiLauro, Motyka’s former public defender.
> “We are confident that after an evidentiary hearing on the post-conviction relief matter, the Superior Court will dismiss the petition as meritless,” said a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.
State prosecutors argue Motyka has presented no new evidence and is attempting to relitigate facts already decided by a jury.
Defense and Prosecutorial Positions
| Party | Position |
|---|---|
| Defense | DNA evidence was planted; trial attorney ineffective; alibi and fingerprint evidence support new trial. |
| Prosecution | No new evidence; relitigating settled facts; confident in dismissal of petition. |
The defense also cites a 2017 Supreme Court decision that requires an evidentiary hearing, which they believe will support Motyka’s claims. Prosecutors counter that the hearing will likely result in dismissal.
Community Response and Current Status
Angela Spence-Shaw was remembered as a beloved member of the Little Compton Garden Club and worked at Peckham’s Greenhouse. About 300 residents attended a memorial service held a week after her death.
Motyka remains behind bars at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. News Of Los Angeles could not reach his current attorney for comment at press time.
Key Takeaways
- Jeremy Motyka is seeking a new trial after 25 years, alleging police misconduct and ineffective counsel.
- The case is centered on alleged DNA planting and new evidence such as an alibi and fingerprints.
- A hearing is scheduled, with the state confident it will dismiss the petition.
- The outcome may impact future post-conviction relief cases in Rhode Island.
Why it matters: The case underscores the importance of forensic integrity and the right to a fair trial, even decades after a conviction.
