An inmate charged with murdering his partner during a conjugal visit at Mule Creek State Prison will appear in court for the first time on Friday.

David Brinson is already serving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole and is now accused of killing Stephanie Dowells last year.

This was the second death during a family visit at Mule Creek in 2024, with the first happening on July 1 with the death of Tania Thomas. Her husband, Anthony Curry, pleaded not guilty to her murder.

The Office of the Inspector General Independent Prison Oversight did not identify any staff misconduct in the first investigation into Thomas' death.

The OIG monitors, reviews, and assesses the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's investigation for thoroughness to det

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