Mackenzie Shirilla’s lawyers ask federal court to throw out murder conviction, order new trial
Petition claims constitutional violations, ineffective counsel, and improper coroner ruling
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Lawyers for Mackenzie Shirilla have filed a federal petition for a writ of habeas corpus, asking a federal court to vacate her murder conviction and grant her a new trial.
Shirilla was convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life following a 2022 car crash that killed her boyfriend and a friend.
Claims of ineffective counsel
Her attorneys argue her original defense team was ineffective for failing to present several pieces of evidence to the jury. According to the petition, text messages showing Shirilla’s boyfriend had grabbed the steering wheel during a separate driving incident weeks before the crash were never introduced at trial.
The petition also states that Shirilla had a documented medical condition — postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS — which can cause sudden loss of consciousness, and that her original attorneys did not disclose it to the court.
Her lawyers further argue there was an innocent explanation for her presence at the crash site: she was reportedly on her way to pick up a grocery package left for her by a local store owner. That information, they said, was also withheld from the jury.
Medical Examiner’s Office ruling and autopsy testimony
The petition challenges the Medical Examiner’s Office manner-of-death ruling, alleging it was improperly changed from “accidental” to “homicide” without following the required legal procedures.
Shirilla’s attorneys also contend the trial was unfair because a medical examiner testified about autopsies they did not personally perform.
Intent and the appeal deadline
The petition argues the prosecution failed to prove Shirilla intentionally caused the crash — an element required for a murder conviction.
Her legal team is also contesting a prior ruling that dismissed her appeal because it was filed one day late, which they attribute to a leap year calculation error.
19 News has reached out to Shirilla’s attorney for comment.
This is a developing story.
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