ATLANTA — The verdict is in for a woman on trial for killing two people and injuring a third in a shooting spree in midtown in 2022.
Raissa Kengne was found guilty but was deemed mentally ill at the time of the shootings of her former employers. Jurors deliberated for less than an hour.
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Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes was in the courtroom as family members of the victims deliver impact statements.
Cameras were not allowed inside, but defense attorney Dwight Thomas told the judge that he believed Kengne was insane when she killed her former bosses, but he would not be representing her in a new trial.
Shortly after, Judge Shukura Ingram gave Kengne two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 50 years in prison.
Surviving victim Michael Horne’s daughter told Fernandes that justice was served, but there were no winners.
“I think [Kengne’s family] are grieving, in a way, as well. Their family, unfortunately, are victims as well,” Allison Page said. “My heart hurts for all of them, as well. There was no winners in this.”
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Kengne, 34, shot three people at the 1280 West condos and an office building at 110 Peachtree Street. Two of the victims, Michael Shinners and Wesley Freeman, died from their injuries. The other victim, Horne, was eventually released from the hospital.
Horne later died from cancer complications, though his family believe the shooting worsened his condition.
After the shootings, Kengne called for a cab from Atlanta Checker Cab to pick up her at a hotel and take her to a home on Robin Hood Road NE in Ansley Park. The driver said she told him it was her lawyer’s home. He said no one came to the door and Kengne returned to his cab.
From there, the driver said Kengne requested a ride to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Kengne was arrested by ATF task force officers at the international terminal.
The families all sat together in the courtroom, comforting one another as the verdict was read.
“Getting to know the other families has become like a family...they’re wonderful people,” Page said.
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