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The Indiana Court of Appeals will hold an oral argument May 23 for a case involving a man claiming self defense after he was convicted of murdering two people at an Indianapolis convenience store in 2021.
Kelyn Harris was charged with murdering Ezekiel Watkins and Frederick Small at a convenience store on North Mitthoeffer Road on the city’s east side in May 2021.
Surveillance footage from the store shows Harris and two other males drive into the store’s parking lot shortly before Watkins and Small arrive.
When the victims arrived, Small is seen putting what appears to be a handgun in his pocket.
Shortly after the victims enter the store, Harris is seen on video shooting in their direction.
He was a student at Warren Central High School when the murders occurred.
At trial, Harris claimed he shot the men in self-defense. Watkins reportedly threated Harris in the months prior to the shooting.
The trial court rejected his claim and convicted him with two counts of murder.
Harris was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 55 years.
In appealing, Harris claims the State of Indiana failed to disprove his self-defense claim.
Court of Appeals Judges Elizabeth Tavitas, Peter Foley and Paul Felix will hear the case of Kelyn Harris v. State of Indiana, 23A-CR-2054, at 1:30 p.m. at the Irvington Preparatory Academy.
Those unable to attend the oral argument can watch it online.
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