Wis. memorial held for notorious felon

MILWAUKEE -- Dozens of supporters gathered at a Milwaukee church to memorialize Laurie Bembenek. She's the former police officer who was convicted in 1982 of killing her husband's ex-wife.

The 52-year-old Bembenek died Nov. 20 at a hospice in Portland, Ore. She continued to maintain her innocence in the murder of Christine Schultz until the day she died. Those gathered Sunday at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church celebrated her life and vowed to continue work to clear her name.

Bembenek escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution in 1990 and was captured three months later in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Her life saga was recounted in books and two television movies.

Prosecutors maintain Bembenek was properly convicted.