TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the first-degree murder conviction of a Wichita man for the shooting death of a security guard who tried to break up a fight between gang members.
The court on Friday rejected an appeal from Kamaronte D. Jones, who was convicted in the 2007 killing of Keith Peters.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that when a fight between Bloods and Crips members broke out inside a private home, Peters intervened and was shot by Jones.
Jones was sentenced to a hard-25 life sentence. In his appeal, Jones’ attorney argued evidence of Jones’ gang activity should not have been admitted at his trial.
The Supreme Court ruled that evidence of gang activity can be introduced when it helps explain the events surrounding a crime.
