The Case of the Camm Family Murders

Former Indiana state trooper David Camm returned home to find his wife and two children murdered, sparking one of America's most controversial wrongful conviction cases. On September 28, 2000, Kimberly Camm and her children, Bradley and Jill, were shot to death inside the family garage in Georgetown, Indiana. David Camm was quickly identified as the prime suspect and spent 13 years in prison after two convictions that were later overturned. A third trial resulted in his acquittal, while convicted felon Charles Darnell Boney was ultimately convicted of the murders. The case remains one of the most debated wrongful conviction cases in modern American criminal justice.

On the evening of September 28, 2000, Kimberly Camm, 35, and her two children, Bradley, 7, and Jill, 5, were returning home from Bradley's swim practice in Georgetown, Indiana. Sometime after arriving home, all three were shot and killed inside the garage of the family residence. David Camm, a former Indiana State Police trooper, told investigators he had been playing basketball at a local church before returning home around 9:20 p.m. Upon entering the garage, he discovered the bodies of his wife and children and immediately called 911. Within days, investigators focused their attention on David Camm. Prosecutors alleged he had murdered his family because of marital problems and extramarital affairs. The investigation and subsequent prosecutions would span more than a decade and generate national attention.

The victims were found in and around the family's Ford Bronco inside the garage. Kimberly Camm was located near the vehicle while Bradley and Jill were found inside. All three had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. David Camm stated that after discovering the bodies he attempted to check his children for signs of life and moved Bradley while attempting CPR. This explanation later became significant because bloodstain evidence on his clothing was used by prosecutors to support their theory that he was the killer. Investigators also recovered a sweatshirt near the crime scene containing DNA evidence that would later become central to the case. Testing eventually linked the garment to convicted offender Charles Darnell Boney, a man with a history of violent crimes against women.

Three days after the murders, David Camm was arrested and charged with killing his wife and children. Prosecutors relied heavily on bloodstain pattern analysis, allegations of extramarital affairs, and a proposed financial motive involving life insurance policies. Camm was convicted in 2002, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. A second trial in 2006 again resulted in a conviction, which was also overturned. As the case progressed, DNA evidence increasingly pointed toward Charles Darnell Boney. Boney admitted being at the crime scene but claimed he encountered the victims after the murders occurred. In 2013, a third trial was held. The defense argued that investigators ignored evidence implicating Boney and prematurely focused on Camm. After deliberation, the jury acquitted David Camm of all charges.

On October 24, 2013, David Camm was found not guilty on all charges after spending approximately 13 years imprisoned for the murders of his wife and children. He was subsequently exonerated and later received financial settlements related to his wrongful conviction. Charles Darnell Boney was convicted for his role in the murders and received a sentence totaling 225 years in prison. Despite the convictions and acquittal, debate surrounding the precise circumstances of the murders continues among some observers of the case.

The Camm family murders are widely regarded as one of the most significant wrongful conviction cases in Indiana history. The investigation drew criticism for its reliance on disputed forensic testimony and for focusing on David Camm despite DNA evidence connecting Charles Boney to the crime scene. The case has been cited in discussions regarding forensic science, tunnel vision in investigations and prosecutorial misconduct.