LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has overturned the double murder conviction of Kevon Lawless, a Louisville man sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 ambush that killed a father and his 3-year-old daughter.
The justices ruled Thursday that the trial judge erred by not declaring a mistrial after a juror learned a witness in the case had been accused of perjury during the 2022 trial.
Prosecutors confirmed Friday they plan to retry Lawless.
“Our prosecutors will proactively pursue a conviction based on the evidence and ensure accountability,” said Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina Whethers.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman added that the child’s death was “personal” to him, recalling how he stood beside the girl’s mother at her coffin in 2020.
Lawless was convicted of fatally shooting Brandon Waddles and his 3-year-old daughter, Trinity Randolph, outside their home. According to court records, Lawless’ girlfriend lured Waddles outside, where Lawless ambushed them.
During deliberations, jurors learned that a key witness—who had driven Lawless to the scene—was arrested for lying under oath. One juror admitted they could “no longer make a decision truthfully.”
Although Lawless’ attorneys requested a mistrial, Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin denied the motion and replaced the juror with an alternate. Lawless was later found guilty of two counts of murder and one count of burglary, receiving life without parole.
The high court ruled that Chauvin “committed reversible error” by refusing the mistrial after jurors became aware of the perjury arrest.
Lawless remains in custody, according to state prison records. He also has prior convictions for attempted murder and assault.
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