MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A judge granted a motion to dismiss in the case of an Alabama man indicted in the deaths of a Maryville couple in 1977.
In May 1977, Helen D. Fine and Maynard H. Fine of Maryville were found dead in their home from multiple gunshot wounds. The Maryville Police Department reopened the case in 2021, and in 2023, the couple’s son, Michael Keith Fine, was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder and taken into custody.
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On June 17, the state gave the defense files showing evidence clearing Michael Fine, according to the motion from the defense which was filed the same day. The motion alleges that the state and District Attorney General had had the evidence since 1977 but hadn’t released it until 2025, despite the defense’s requests for discovery, it said. The defense argued that this violated Fine’s right to a fair trial.
On Friday, a judge granted a motion to dismiss the indictment after hearing witness testimonies and arguments from both sides. The judge also ordered Michael Keith Fine to be released.
District Attorney General Ryan Desmond and City of Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp released a joint statement about the dismissal:…