We discuss how long Killer Sally was in Jail after the release of the Netflix documentary series in November 2022. It will contain spoilers.
Killer Sally is the Netflix three-part docu-series that explores the life and relationship between former bodybuilder Sally McNeil and her husband of eight years, former bodybuilder Ray McNeil, before Sally shot and killed him on Valentine’s Day, 1995.
With exclusive interviews with Sally herself, friends, family, colleagues, and lawyers, they all discuss real-life events before the fatal shooting. Audiences are given real-life footage of Sally, and some of Ray, including home videos and footage of their competitions, all showcasing a life that led to a spouse being murdered.
What did Killer Sally do?
Sally McNeil, also now known as ‘Killer McNeil’, is a 62-year-old former professional bodybuilder from America. Sally shot and killed her husband of eight years Ray McNeil, on Valentine’s Day, 1995, at their home. Ray, who was also a famous bodybuilder, was shot once in the abdomen and once in the face with his children and stepchildren in the house.
Sally has never disputed these facts and confessed everything when arrested by the police, and the footage from the police station from that night is used in the Netflix documentary Killer Sally which is available for streaming.
Sally met her soon-to-be husband, Ray McNeil in the Marines, and they tied the knot in 1987, and when Sally was discharged from the Marines, she decided to take up a new career in bodybuilding. As this was a predominantly men’s world, we get an insight into how the world of women’s bodybuilding emerged and developed. As well as bodybuilding Sally would also make money from wrestling men. “Muscle worship” is where Sally would wrestle men on camera and earn thousands of dollars per performance. This is how the family made most of their income whilst Ray was working on his bodybuilding career. We delve into her life, how Ray felt about this and how both of them would use steroids for their bodybuilding.
We learn about Ray’s multiple affairs during the marriage and how Sally would violently react to this. The abuse continued, and their relationship deteriorated until Valentine’s Day, 1995, when the ex-Marine called the police to say that she had murdered her husband Ray.
We’re given first-class interviews with Sally as she recalls her time with Ray and what happened the night of the shooting. Interestingly, both children share their opinions on Ray and their Mother, Sally, saying the relationship was toxic and not a good environment for any of them. Both her children share their own trauma after being in the services and being brought up in this negative, violent household.
Audiences are able to hear and see accounts from both sides and can come up with their own conclusions as to why Sally killed her husband and if they agree with the verdict or not. Either way, this is a fascinating and emotional story.
What was Sally McNeil’s sentence?
Sally pleaded that after a long, abusive relationship, she shot Ray in self-defense as he was strangling her. However, when the trial went to court, it was revealed that the couple had been using steroids, which then linked the murder to ‘roid rage, which is a sudden outburst of violence that can take place due to the use of steroids.
Sally pleaded not guilty to murdering her husband and was later sentenced to 19 years to life for her conviction of second-degree murder.
How long was Killer Sally in Jail?
The former Marine was granted parole after serving 25 years in prison and was released in 2020. The vet transition service helped Sally get a home and a job after leaving prison. Sally was then able to be reunited with her daughter and son after being away from them for so long. The children, John and Shantina were placed into care before moving in with grandparents after the shooting.
Sally appealed the conviction on several grounds, and it was initially overturned by an appeals court, but then the State of California appealed to the Supreme Court then reversed the ruling, leading to the initial conviction being reinstated.
Is Sally McNeil married again?
Now at the age of 62, Sally lives in Northern California and has recently married a new partner. This is Sally’s third husband as she was married to Anthony Lowden for four years, and they had a child together, Shantina, who was 11 at the time of Ray McNeil’s death.
Sally is now married to Norfleet Stewart, who she met at a support group while on parole. In the show, Sally talks about how Norfleet isn’t controlling, and she is allowed to be herself. Sally does say that she was worried about being too impulsive and wanted to date for a while and take things slow. Norfleet fell quickly despite her convictions and warnings from friends.
At the end of the docu-series, we see the couple get married, and they seem very happy together. Both her children attended the wedding and wished her happiness, and said she deserves love and to be loved in the documentary.
And so that’s how long Killer Sally was in Jail for? What do you think of the Netflix documentary series? Comment below.
