The Kentucky Supreme Court has issued opinions affirming the judgement of Christian Circuit Court in the cases against Anshanique Leavell and Shakkory Willis.
According to court documents, both Willis and Leavell filed appeals, as they have the right to do, after being found guilty in their respective trials. Leavell was found guilty of first-degree murder, receiving stolen property and tampering with physical evidence for her role in the June, 2019 death of Amareya’ Freeman and a jury sentenced her to 28 years in prison.
Leavell requested the Supreme Court reverse the conviction, but after reviewing the records and the arguments set forth by both parties, the court affirmed the judgement and denied her request. Leavell becomes eligible for parole after serving approximately 20 years of her sentence.
Willis was found guilty of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and second-degree
unlawful transaction with a minor at trial, in relation to a robbery that resulted in the death of Corvyon Thomas—he was also charged with murder, but the jury was unable to come to a decision on that charge, resulting in a mistrial.
On appeal, Willis alleged certain errors during his trial that he felt warranted reversing his conviction, but the Supreme Court found no errors upon review and chose to affirm the judgement of Christian Circuit Court.
Willis is serving a 33 year sentence on these charges, and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has expressed in the past they intend to try him on the murder charge once more.