A jury on Monday found Rodney Ericson Marshall, 55, guilty of murdering two Lawrence men and attempting to murder law enforcement officers.
Marshall was arrested in connection with shootings on July 31, 2022, that left Shelby Len McCoy, 52, and William Dale O’Brien, 43, dead at separate locations in central Lawrence.
Witnesses said Marshall later shot at officers during a 20-minute chase through town and onto Kansas Highway 10, where he was finally arrested just east of Eudora’s Church Street exit.
The jury’s verdict came following a multiweek trial that began jury selection on Monday, May 4 in Douglas County District Court.
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In total, Marshall was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and one count of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, according to a news release from the Douglas County district attorney’s office.
“This case has had a profound impact on our community, especially the families and loved ones of Shelby McCoy and William O’Brien,” DA Dakota Loomis said in the release. “While no verdict can undo the loss, we hope today’s outcome provides some measure of accountability and closure for those who have carried the weight of this case for nearly four years.”
Deputy District Attorney David Melton and Chief Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple prosecuted the case.
Marshall has remained in custody since his arrest. His sentencing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.
Read more background on the case in the articles linked below.
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