A 25-year-old Lawrence man was charged with first-degree murder Monday in Douglas County District Court in connection with his grandmother’s death.
Marcus Cassella allegedly confessed over the phone to strangling his 70-year-old grandmother, according to the Lawrence Police Department.
When first responders arrived at the scene around 2 a.m. Saturday, the woman, Lynn Abrams, was found unresponsive in bed, according to LPD. She was declared dead at the scene, a home just southwest of Clinton Parkway and Crestline Drive.
Cassella’s 24-year-old brother was unharmed in a bedroom with his door shut, according to police.
Douglas County District Judge Stacey Donovan appointed Razmi Tahirkheli to represent Cassella.
Cassella’s bond was set at $1 million cash or surety, meaning he’d likely have to pay a bail bond agency $100,000 to be released from jail while his case is pending. Law intern Lauren Lawson said Cassella is a flight risk and a danger to the community with a previous random act of violence on his record.
Cassella’s next court hearing is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5.
Defendants in criminal cases should be presumed not guilty unless they are convicted.
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at [email protected].
Read her complete bio here. Read her work for the Times at this link, and see her photography for the Times at this link.
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