INDIANAPOLIS — A man has been convicted in connection with a triple homicide that took place last year outside an apartment complex in Lawrence. Malik Shaw faces sentencing after being found guilty of two counts of murder.
On Thursday, jurors determined that Shaw, 25, was responsible for the deaths of Aaliyah Wortman and Londyn Coleman, both 19. The verdicts followed nearly 11 hours of deliberation, with the jury announcing their decision early that morning. Sentencing for Shaw is scheduled for August 27.
The jury was unable to reach a consensus on a charge related to the death of 27-year-old Spencer Lawson, who prosecutors claimed was the victim of a “set-up” execution. A hearing to discuss the status of this allegation is slated for August 15, as indicated in court documents.
The incidents occurred on April 12, 2024, when Wortman and Coleman were observed with Lawson in a Chevy Cruze at the Jamestowne Apartment Community. All three individuals were later discovered outside the vehicle, each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Shaw’s defense contended that the evidence presented during the trial was largely circumstantial. They argued that no witnesses could definitively identify Shaw as the shooter, raising questions about the prosecution’s case.
In a community still reeling from the violence, the outcome of this trial underscores the complexities of prosecuting cases involving gun violence and the deep impact such incidents have on the lives of those connected to the victims.
As the legal proceedings continue regarding the third murder charge, the families of the victims are left to grapple with their losses and seek justice.
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