Melissa Turner is serving a 20.5-year sentence in the Florida state prison system after a Hillsborough County jury convicted her of second-degree murder in February 2022 for fatally stabbing her fiancé, Matthew Trussler, at their Riverview home. Judge Samantha Ward imposed the sentence on March 18, 2022. Her defense attorney filed a motion for a new trial three days before sentencing, and no public reporting indicates that any post-conviction challenge has changed her conviction or sentence.1CBS News. Matthew Trussler Murder
What She Was Convicted Of
On the morning of October 18, 2019, Turner called 911 to report finding Trussler, 25, unresponsive near the swimming pool of their home. He had bled to death primarily in the kitchen from a deep cut to his right bicep that severed an artery, along with superficial stab wounds to his chest and back and defensive wounds on his arms. His blood alcohol level was nearly five times the Florida legal limit.2Oxygen. Melissa Turner Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Matthew Trussler1CBS News. Matthew Trussler Murder
Turner first told detectives she had been asleep and suggested Trussler may have harmed himself. Confronted with audio evidence, she changed her account, saying the couple had been drinking and fighting around 4:00 a.m. and that she had acted in self-defense after Trussler attacked her with a tactical switchblade and tried to strangle her. She was arrested the same day and charged with second-degree murder with a weapon.3CBS News. Melissa Turner Cosplay Model Matthew Trussler Stabbing Self-Defense Security Cameras
Why the Jury Rejected Self-Defense
Digital evidence drove the case. A neighbor’s garage-mounted camera captured audio from the couple’s home between roughly 4:00 a.m. and 5:11 a.m., including a woman’s voice screaming “Get up now,” “I hate you,” and “So f***ing die.” The recording also picked up the phrase “What did I do?” — followed by hours of inaction before Turner called 911.3CBS News. Melissa Turner Cosplay Model Matthew Trussler Stabbing Self-Defense Security Cameras
Footage from the couple’s own ADT system, obtained by search warrant on December 9, 2019, showed Trussler “walking calmly, unarmed” while Turner followed him “hunched over angry,” according to prosecutor Chinwe Fossett. By 4:08 a.m., the cameras captured Turner near the front door with a visible red mark on her hand, which prosecutors argued was a wound she sustained while stabbing Trussler.4CBS News. Melissa Turner Matthew Trussler Murder Security Camera Tampa Florida3CBS News. Melissa Turner Cosplay Model Matthew Trussler Stabbing Self-Defense Security Cameras
Prosecutors also noted Turner had not mentioned being strangled in her initial police interview and only raised the claim shortly before trial. A crime scene technician testified there was no physical evidence supporting her claim of a head injury, and the autopsy found a stab wound to Trussler’s back that prosecutors said ruled out self-infliction. No prior domestic violence reports involving the couple were introduced at trial.3CBS News. Melissa Turner Cosplay Model Matthew Trussler Stabbing Self-Defense Security Cameras2Oxygen. Melissa Turner Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Matthew Trussler
Turner’s attorney, John Trevena, described the relationship as toxic and argued Trussler had a history of erratic behavior. Defense audio forensic expert Bruce Koenig testified the neighbor’s recording appeared to have been “volume enhanced,” potentially exaggerating Turner’s voice. The jury was not persuaded. Juror Donald Goodwin later said Turner’s emotional testimony struck jurors as insincere and that “What did I do?” showed she knew Trussler was dying yet waited hours to seek help. “Melissa Turner chose to kill Matthew Trussler,” he said.3CBS News. Melissa Turner Cosplay Model Matthew Trussler Stabbing Self-Defense Security Cameras
The jury returned its guilty verdict on February 18, 2022, after a week-long trial.2Oxygen. Melissa Turner Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend Matthew Trussler Turner had rejected a pretrial plea offer that would have carried a 25-year sentence.5Law & Crime. Cosplay Model Gets Two Decades in Prison for Fiancé’s Murder
The 20.5-Year Sentence
Second-degree murder in Florida carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison. Prosecutors asked for 35 years. Judge Ward imposed 20.5 years and told the courtroom, “This jury did not believe her claims of self-defense nor does this court.”6FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Cosplay Model to Spend 20 Years Behind Bars for Boyfriend’s Murder
Post-Conviction Status
Trevena filed a motion for a new trial on March 15, 2022, three days before the sentencing hearing.1CBS News. Matthew Trussler Murder No public reporting indicates that the motion succeeded or that any later appeal has altered Turner’s conviction or the 20.5-year sentence she is now serving.