Man found not guilty of 2016 triple homicide in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A man accused of a triple homicide case dating back to a 2016 shooting was found not guilty by a jury Friday.

On May 17, Yanez C. Sanford was found not guilty in a court case where he was accused of murdering two individuals, one of them being a pregnant woman, in August of 2016. Mark Manna, Chief Attorney with the State of Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit told 27 News Sanford was acquitted on all counts.

"His not-guilty verdict on capital murder is only the second time in Kansas state court history. Twenty-eight years ago in Shawnee County, the death penalty defense unit was part of another not-guilty verdict in the capital murder case of Stephen Shively 95CR3764—the hard work and dedication of Peter Conley and Emily Barclay as capital public defenders in this case is appreciated."

Statement excerpt from Mark Manna

On the morning of August 7, 2016, two people were found dead after being shot at the Fairlawn Green Apartments located at 5235 SW 20th Terrace. When Topeka police arrived, they found the bodies of two Topeka residents, Dominique D. Ray, 23, and Camrah J. Trotter, 20. They were pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple gunshot wounds. Trotter was pregnant at the time of the shooting.

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