Mackenzie Shirilla Seeks to Overturn Murder Conviction in Federal Court

Mackenzie Shirilla has filed a new petition in federal court seeking to overturn her murder conviction, arguing that she received ineffective legal representation during her trial.

According to the filing, Shirilla's new attorney claims her trial lawyer failed to present evidence that could have supported her defense. One example cited is a package of groceries that had reportedly been left for Shirilla at a nearby 24-hour pickup location, which the petition says could have explained why she was driving near the crash site.

The petition also argues that Shirilla's case was wrongly transferred from juvenile court to adult court, claiming the move violated her constitutional rights.

Shirilla was convicted in August 2023 of murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, and other charges in the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and friend, Davion Flanagan, 19. Prosecutors argued she intentionally crashed her vehicle, relying on surveillance footage, vehicle data, and witness testimony. Her defense maintained that she blacked out due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Shirilla is serving two concurrent prison terms of 15 years to life at the Ohio Reformatory for Women and will be eligible for parole in 2037.

The federal petition follows several unsuccessful appeals in Ohio courts, including a June decision by the Ohio Supreme Court declining to hear her case. The claims in the new filing have not yet been ruled on by the federal court.