Convicted Murderer Charged in Wife’s Death at California Prison
The Amador County District Attorney’s Office has faced scrutiny after KCRA News reported that David Brinson, a convicted murderer, is alleged to have killed his wife while at Lava Creek State Prison during a family visit.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred in November 2024 when Brinson is said to have strangled 62-year-old Stephanie Dowells. Staff were alerted just after 2 a.m., and Dowells was pronounced dead shortly after at 2:51 a.m. This case raises serious concerns about the safety of visitors at correctional facilities.
A spokesperson commented, “We have innocent people coming to these prisons. There’s an obligation to keep them safe, and they’ve failed miserably. It’s time for accountability.”
The Amador County Sheriff’s Office has classified Dowells’ death as a murder caused by strangulation. Brinson is already serving four consecutive life sentences for a quadruple murder committed in Los Angeles County back in 1993. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has confirmed the ongoing investigation.
This incident marks the second reported death at Mule Creek during a family visit in 2024. Earlier that year, Tania Thomas was found unconscious during her visit. Her husband, Anthony Curry, who is also an inmate, was later charged with her murder.
In California, certain inmates are allowed to have visits that resemble family gatherings in designated areas, sometimes referred to as “personal apartments.” These visits typically occur over a span of 30 to 40 hours but do not include those on death row or individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Interestingly, there’s no explicit disqualification for violent crime convictions.
KCRA has indicated that court proceedings regarding the cases at Lava Creek are anticipated next month. Meanwhile, Dowells’ family is preparing to file a lawsuit against the prison. The CDCR has reiterated its commitment to following relevant policies while confirming that family visits continue to occur at Mule Creek.
