LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fate of Kevon Lawless’ life was officially decided on Thursday.
Lawless was found guilty for the murder of Brandon Waddles and his 3-year-old daughter, Trinity Randolph.
Police say Lawless shot and killed Brandon and Trinity in August of 2020.
A jury recommended two life sentences without parole during a hearing in September. However, prosecutors and Brandon’s family were seeking the death penalty for Lawless.
Ultimately, Judge Mckay Chauvin decided to make a small adjustment to the jury’s recommendation. He says the sentencing wasn't easy, but at the end of the day he had to make a fair decision, which left loved ones heartbroken.
The judge fought back tears as he tried to reach out to Lawless one last time.
“So I get that you can’t react to this or trying not to react to this but I hope that, that’s all a front. I hope that you feel this the way that other people do because if you don’t then you are a monster. You are evil,” Chauvin said.
The judge finalized Lawless' fate, sending him to prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole. He can appeal his sentence in the coming days.
“This is the saddest thing I think I’ve ever been associated with. So I feel that and I have to keep that separate from the decisions I make too, but man I feel it. It’s just palpable. When that officer running, the wave of grief and sadness..” Chauvin said.
The judge remembered the body camera video shown during trial of the officers trying to save the little girl shot on a Louisville sidewalk.
Brandon's mother Becky Waddles gave an emotional speech in court on Thursday before the judge’s final sentencing.
“The monster Kevon lawless who was involved in killing my son and my granddaughter needed to be held accountable for what he’s done," Becky said. "I won’t get my little Trinity or Brandon back but Kevon lawless should be punished to death."
During the trial, earlier this year, a witness admitted to helping Lawless set up the victim. Another witness told the jury he drove the getaway car.
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