Jury Acquitted Baton Rouge Murder Suspect
Trayvon McKenzie was found not guilty in the 2024 shooting death of Malaak Ross.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Violence
A Baton Rouge jury has acquitted 19-year-old Trayvon McKenzie of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Malaak Ross. The verdict followed a trial regarding the January 8, 2024, incident on Old Hermitage Parkway.
Why it matters
The acquittal follows testimony from two accomplices who received plea agreements for their cooperation. Prosecutors had presented surveillance evidence tracking the suspects before the fatal encounter.
A jury deliberated for over 2.5 hours before finding Trayvon McKenzie not guilty of second-degree murder. The prosecution's case relied on testimony from Keith Augustine, sentenced to 10 years, and Dajuan Waxter, sentenced to 40 months.
The players
Trayvon McKenzie
He is a 19-year-old who was on trial for the murder of Malaak Ross.
Malaak Ross
The 22-year-old victim died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Keith Augustine
He is a 20-year-old accomplice who testified against the defendant under a plea agreement.
Dajuan Waxter
He is a 25-year-old accomplice who testified regarding the motives behind the shooting.
Kevin Miller
He is a detective who provided testimony regarding the forensic challenges at the scene.
The details
Police recovered 16 shell casings and a gun-mounted light at the scene of the shooting on Old Hermitage Parkway. Despite surveillance tracking the suspects from GSRI Avenue, Detective Kevin Miller testified that heavy rain prevented the recovery of DNA evidence.
Timeline
The shooting occurred on January 8, 2024.
The jury delivered the not guilty verdict on September 17, 2026.
Legal Context
This case reflects the challenges inherent in homicide prosecutions where physical evidence is limited by environmental factors. It underscores how the judicial system balances accomplice testimony against the standard of proof required by Louisiana law.
The acquittal marks the conclusion of a significant local trial regarding gun violence on city streets. Residents can follow subsequent updates from the district attorney regarding any remaining open aspects of the investigation.
The takeaway
Jury trials remain the ultimate arbiter of guilt when forensic evidence is compromised by external conditions. This verdict highlights the critical role of testimony when physical links to a suspect are missing.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Baton Rouge Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
