Kevon Lawless trial aftermath: Accomplice appears in court, victims’ families react to verdict
As Kevon Lawless awaits sentencing for the murders of Trinity Randolph, 3, and her father, Brandon Waddles, his accomplice in the crime, Evan Ross, will also be jailed at Metro Corrections for now.
On Monday, Ross, who pled guilty to being Lawless’ getaway driver, faced the same judge who ordered him to be arrested for perjury after being dishonest during his testimony. That act of deceit prompted the Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin to keep Ross’ bond at $50,000 cash.
"The issue I have is the complete lack of faith or trust in what Mr. Ross may choose to do," Chauvin said. "He is an untrustworthy individual and his involvement in this instance is the context which I view what he's capable of."
Waddles' mother, Becky, says all three people involved in the senseless crime should have faced more severe consequences, specifically, Lawless, who was the shooter.
"It just felt a weight lifted off my shoulder once he was found guilty, but I felt like he should have gotten the death penalty because two lives were taken," she said.
Waddles says though the videos played during the trial depicted her son in a negative light, she says he was caring, a great father, and his presence on social media was simply part of his image as a local rapper.
"That wasn't who he was at home, so it's funny looking back at his videos because this is not even the kid that I know," Waddles said.
Waddles also told WLKY that her son and Lawless' issues, which she says were gang-related, have been ongoing since 2015.
"It just got really strange, and he was like, 'Mama, somebody's trying to kill me,'" she said. "I never took it serious because I know it's been going on for so long, I never knew it was so deep."
Waddles said she wishes she was more vigilant in protecting her son and her granddaughter.
"I hate that he got tricked, and I hate that Trinity was there because I was supposed to take her home, and she wanted to stay and play with this dollhouse that she begged me for," she said.
For now, she's working towards healing and one day being able to forgive the person who caused the pain.
"I can't say never, but my pastor did tell me I need to start focusing on that,” she said. “But I haven't gotten to that point."
A jury recommended Lawless serve two life sentences without parole. He will be formally sentenced by a judge in November.
Ross is due back in court next month.