Missouri lawyer acquitted in 2016 murder of girlfriend in PDC, woman’s family says

A Missouri lawyer on trial in Quintana Roo in the death of his girlfriend at a Playa del Carmen resort has been acquitted, the family of the woman said Tuesday March 14.

John Loveless, a lawyer who practices in the St. Louis area, was on trial for allegedly killing Tamra Turpin.

Turpin, 36, also of Missouri, was found dead in March 2016 in a condo the couple had rented in Playa del Carmen. A forensic examination concluded she died of asphyxia by strangulation.

Loveless had told her sister that Turpin overdosed on prescription medications during a suicide attempt after an argument.

He was acquitted after the Mexican tribunal ruled that that they did not have evidence to find him guilty beyond reasonable doubt, Turpin’s sister Jodi Mills said.

Mills, another of Turpin’s sisters, her mother and stepfather are in Mexico for the trial, which began March 6.

Turpin’s family believes Loveless is guilty, Mills said. She said the court acquitted Loveless because of inconclusive evidence, not because they believed him to be innocent.

Mills said the family is considering appealing the court’s decision.

Neither Loveless nor members of his family could be immediately reached for comment Tuesday night.

Source: stltoday.com