Kentucky Supreme Court Overturns Double Murder Conviction Over Juror Misconduct

Kevon Lawless, a Louisville man sentenced to life without parole for the 2020 murders of Brandon Waddles and his 3-year-old daughter Trinity Randolph, has had his double murder conviction overturned by the Kentucky Supreme Court. The court ruled that the trial judge erred by not declaring a mistrial after a juror learned that a key witness was accused of perjury during the trial, which compromised the jury's ability to decide truthfully. Despite Lawless' initial conviction in 2022, prosecutors plan to retry the case, emphasizing their commitment to justice for the victims. The incident involved Lawless having a then-17-year-old girlfriend lure Waddles outside, where Lawless ambushed and shot both victims. The court's decision to overturn the conviction centers on the trial judge's refusal to grant a mistrial despite a juror's concern after hearing about the witness's perjury arrest. The case has been remanded to the Jefferson Circuit Court for potential retrial, though it remains unclear if another trial will occur.