Let's Talk: Lavelle Evans

Let's talk the New New on Benito Santiago...1: MURDER 1ST DEGREE - FELONY CONV AND SENT2: MURDER 1ST DEGREE - FELONY CONV & SENT-CONCUR12/12/2025 - 035084/04128 - ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR RELIEF, RULE 3.850Recap: According to the story as it was told by the headlines, Benito Santiago killed 2 people with an AK47 while their 10-year-old child watched. It is alleged that this was all over an argument. If that wasn’t enough, the story takes a turn when the identification comes into question, based on how it played out on an episode of The First 48. Years later, we get the story from his side, in his words! There seems to be more to this crime beyond the story that was carried… From a real case of a suggestive lineup to the reality of an extensive appeal… This is one that leaves you with more questions than we get answers. With that said, Let's Talk Murder!

According to the story as it was told by the headlines, Shyrehl Wesley killed his best friend and left him on the side of the road. According to the story, this was all over D'Angelo hanging with another dance crew. If that wasn’t enough, the story is written with a “Why do Good Girls like Bad Boys” subtopic and suggests that Mr. Wesley made his High School girlfriend help him. Years later, we get the story from his side, in his words! There seems to be more to this crime beyond the story that was carried… From a real case of “Who Done It” to the reality of Character vs. Charisma for the Jury… This is one for the books! With that said, Let's Talk Murder!Episode Exclusive: Throwback Spotlight Wesside Rehl "Wesside Story"According to the fans back in the day, Wesside Rehl was up next on the scene. Take a listen for yourself, stay tuned after the episode for one of his top trending singles from 2015.

Yet again… Another #RIP and it is believed to be #Murder. According to AL.com, “Deundray Cottrell, Atlanta doctoral student found dead in Birmingham shed, was killed, police say” (Updated: Jul. 08, 2024, 7:50 a.m.|Published: Jul. 07, 2024, 3:32 p.m.) By Carol Robinson | “The death of an Atlanta doctorate student found Saturday in Birmingham, two days after he disappeared from a family holiday gathering, has been ruled a homicide by the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office. Birmingham police announced the determination Sunday. Authorities have not said how 31-year-old Deundray Cottrell was killed. The search continues for Julian Taylor Morris, who authorities and family have said had a romantic relationship with Cottrell. Fitzgerald called Morris a person of interest. Morris has not been seen since Friday morning.” (Photo Credits: Deundray FB)

What if there are sworn statements that say one thing, but the prosecution says another? What if the fact-finding mission never took place? Wait!!! What if, there was never a search for a suspect??? According to the story, as it was told to me, Lavelle Evans sits convicted of Murder in a case that leaves a LOT of room for Reasonable Doubt! Years later, we get the story from his side, in his words!  We have some things to unpack…  With that said, Let's Talk Murder

In case you didn’t catch the original episode on Mr. Clark, Tap In: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/rJNx64EV6Db. Now, for those who remember the case, Mr. Clark has made it VERY CLEAR that it wasn’t him… Fast forward 16 Years and he may be coming home… Let’s Talk Clemency! Executive Clemency Executive clemency is a set of powers granted to the Governor by the Illinois Constitution to pardon a person who has committed a crime or to commute his or her... Episode Resource: Death Penalty Information Center - https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/clemency  Restore Justice - https://www.restorejustice.org/legal-explainer/explainer-executive-clemency/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Illinois%20Prison,commutations%20have%20been%20awarded%20annually 

“Appellant (Willie Ray) entered pleas of guilty to two indictments alleging offenses of aggravated robbery. The trial court found the evidence sufficient to support a finding of guilt in each cause and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.” -Singletary v. State, Nos. 14-03-00956-CR, 14-03-00957-CR, (Tex. App. Apr. 1, 2004) “According to the state court records, Singletary was charged with committing armed robbery of a pawn shop along with three other co-defendants, including Troy Anthony, Kevin Jermaine Williams, and Bobby Becks. The state offered a plea agreement for twenty-five years in prison, provided that all four defendants accept. When Singletary was the only defendant willing to accept the plea and concede guilt, the State withdrew its offer… Accordingly, the case proceeded to a joint trial that resulted in a jury verdict of guilt for three of the four defendants (Singletary, Anthony, and Williams).” -Singletary v. Dretke, Civil Action No. H-05-2070, 2 n.1 (S.D. Tex. Feb. 24, 2006) Willie Ray has some light to shed on this story and when he does, there are a few questions I need you to think about… Was there Reasonable Doubt? What’s your take on the All or None approach? Do you agree with my question of Legal vs. Moral vs. Ethical Obligation? If so, should the Judge have decided differently? We have some things to unpack… With that said, Let's Talk Armed Robbery!

According to the story, he did it, he is convicted of it, and it was premeditated… However, the TRUTH shall SET YOU FREE and Mr. Hodges is ready to TELL HIS TRUTH!!! Was it Murder? Was it an Accident? Furthermore, the MATH AIN’T MATHING… Hodges was sentenced to 15 years to life for murder plus three years for the firearm specification to be served prior to and consecutive to the murder charge. The robbery and improperly handling the firearms in a motor vehicle counts were determined to be allied offenses to Count 1 murder. The trial court also sentenced Hodges to a 24-month consecutive sentence to Count 1 for having a weapon while under disability. Hodges was sentenced to an aggregate prison term of 20 years to life. -State v. Hodges, No. 108734, 2 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020) We have some things to unpack… Pre-Meditated or Nah? Reasonable Doubt? With that said, Let's Talk Murder! ************************************************************************** RE-SENTENCING PER COURT OF APPEALS OPINION #995511* DEFENDANT IN COURT. COUNSEL MCFAUL PRESENT. COURT REPORTER ADAMS PRESENT. ON A FORMER DAY OF COURT THE DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY TO MURDER 2903.02 A WITH FIREARM SPECIFICATION(S) - 3 YEARS (2941.145) AS AMENDED IN COUNT(S) 1 OF THE INDICTMENT. ON A FORMER DAY OF COURT THE DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED ROBBERY 2911.01 A(3) F1 WITH FIREARM SPECIFICATION(S) - 3 YEARS (2941.145) AS AMENDED IN COUNT(S) 3 OF THE INDICTMENT. ON A FORMER DAY OF COURT THE DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY TO IMPROPERLY HANDLING FIREARMS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE 2923.16 A F4 AS CHARGED IN COUNT(S) 5 OF THE INDICTMENT. ON A FORMER DAY OF COURT THE DEFENDANT PLEAD GUILTY TO HAVING WEAPONS WHILE UNDER DISABILITY 2923.13 A(3) F3 AS CHARGED IN COUNT(S) 6 OF THE INDICTMENT. COUNT(S) 2, 4 WAS/WERE NOLLED. DEFENDANT ADDRESSES THE COURT. THE COURT CONSIDERED ALL REQUIRED FACTORS OF THE LAW. THE COURT FINDS THAT PRISON IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSE OF R. C. 2929.11. THE COURT IMPOSES A PRISON SENTENCE AT THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION OF 20 YEARS TO LIFE. COUNT 1, 3 YEARS ON THE GUN SPEC TO RUN PRIOR TO AND CONSECUTIVE TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE ON BASE CHARGE FOR A TOTAL OF 18 YEARS TO LIFE; COUNT 3 ALLIED OFFENSE TO COUNT 1; COUNT 5 ALLIED OFFENSE TO COUNT 1; COUNT 6 (F3), 24 MONTHS. COUNTS 1 AND 6 ARE TO RUN CONSECUTIVE FOR A TOTAL SENTENCE OF 20 YEARS TO LIFE.

According to the story, as it was told in Part One of LTMWDK: Ibrahim Muhammad, the same individuals committed all 3 robberies. If that is so, how did Ibrahim beat 2 cases but still end up with 3 Life Sentences Plus 50-100 years for the Robbery/Homicide? However, if all 3 crimes were committed by the same suspects, then 3 crimes minus 2 acquittals = 1 conviction shouldn’t be the mathematical equation! More so, the story takes a turn when the confession and alibi come into question as the evidence starts to be presented to the jury! Take a seat and tune in as Mr. Muhammad sets a few things straight and I start to dig into the 2019 Appeal… This is one that leaves you wondering, is it to be continued? Years later, we get the story from Ibrahim Muhammad, in his words! There seems to be more to this crime beyond the all-in-one Trial option that was discussed… From a real case of Connect the Prints and DNA to a test of Trial and Justice… This is one that leaves you with one final question… HOW? With that said, Let's Talk Murder! In Case you Missed It, Ibrahim Muhammad Part One: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/KbBlELQbftb

According to the story, as it was told by his Co-Defendants Appeal, Cedrick Peterson was NOT the shooter… However, he was convicted of Murder, and the 15-year Plea equaled up to 99 years! Yep! I said 99... The math ain’t mathing! However, the story takes a turn when the plea papers come into question because “15” was written as “40” but is now “99.” Years later, we get the story from Cedrick Peterson, in his words! There seems to be more to this crime beyond the plea that was discussed… From a real case of who done it to a test of Trial and Justice… This is one that leaves you with one final question… HOW? With that said, Let's Talk Murder!

John Hudson Part 1: The Murder In case you missed part one, click the link above to hear the episode. As I ended Part 1 in Season 1, I had a few questions I wanted to further explore with Mr. Hudson. Listen in as Part 2 goes deeper into him losing his dad while incarcerated as well as his reaction to his Co-Defendant becoming a State Witness and pinning the Murder on him. This is one that leaves you with a look of "WoW!" With that said, Let's Talk Murder! In case the above hyperlink doesn't work, click here for Part 1: https://anchor.fm/ltmwdk/episodes/Lets-Talk-John-Hudson-ekahva/a-a3797tj