Explained: Landry Anglin’s murderer self-defense appeal rejected in court

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A Louisiana court has upheld that the man who shot a Shreveport teenager and fled to Texas will keep his prior life sentence.

Kenmiccael Dano Ray was convicted in June of 2024 for second-degree murder after 13-year-old Landry Anglin was shot dead while sitting in her grandmother’s home in May of 2022.

He was captured by US Marshals just days later, after fleeing to Arlington, Texas, where he was found in still possession of the murder weapon.

After his conviction, Ray filed for an appeal, stating three reasons why the Caddo court decision should be overturned.

Ray argued that the state failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not act in self-defense, that the court did not instruct the jury about his self-defense claim, and also claimed that the record appears to indicate he was prejudiced by alternate jurors being allowed to participate in jury deliberations.

The decisions from the court justices were decided, based on the following for each claim.

Claim 1: The state failed to prove he did not act in self-defense

“In summary, Ray could not have the reasonable belief that he was in imminent danger of losing his life or receiving great bodily harm when he fired the first shot at a vehicle that was one block away. Ray’s alleged intent to scare the occupants of the White Chrysler 300 by shooting at them proved he acted with the necessary criminal intent to commit an assault by drive-by shooting, which caused the death of Landry. The fact Ray claims he intended to scare the occupants of the Chrysler 300 by shooting from a motor vehicle proved he acted with the necessary criminal intent to commit an assault by drive-by shooting. The evidence proved Ray fired the shot that
killed Landry. Viewing the evidence in light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the homicide was not committed in self-defense. This assignment of error is without merit.”

Claim 2: The jury was unaware of the self-defense claim

“The defense did not submit any written requested charges to the court, nor was a
copy provided to the State. La. C. Cr. P. art. 807 requires special written charges for the jury, and that a copy be furnished to the other party. We find the trial court correctly denied the oral request and conclude this assignment of error is without merit.”

Claim 3: Prejudice by alternate jurors

“Accordingly, we find that the record is devoid of any positive proof that the alternate jurors participated in the jury deliberation. To the contrary, a careful reading of the entire record indicates the alternates did not participate in jury deliberations. Thus, we find that there is no need to remand this case for an evidentiary hearing on the matter, as Ray requested. This assignment of error is without merit.”

As a result of the higher court findings, Ray will continue to serve out his life sentence.