Judge rejects self-defense motion in Lawrence triple homicide

A judge has rejected a motion to drop charges against a 21-year-old man accused in a triple homicide in Lawrence.

Douglas County District Court Judge Sally Pokorny on Friday ruled that Anthony Roberts Jr., of Topeka, had not provided evidence to justify his claim that he acted in self-defense during the shootings in October 2017.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports Roberts’ trial is scheduled for June 10.  He is charged with two counts of first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

The shootings in downtown Lawrence involved two groups of Topeka men who had earlier confrontations. They fired about 20 shots, killing three and injuring two others.

One co-defendant is scheduled for trial in April. A third pleaded no contest last week to misdemeanor battery and was released from jail.