photo by: City of Lawrence screenshot

Lawrence Mayor Bart Littlejohn speaks during the Lawrence City Commission's meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Lawrence Mayor Bart Littlejohn on Tuesday briefly addressed the results of a recent murder trial involving two teens, which he said left him “sad for everybody involved,” and voiced support for the shooting victim’s family.

Littlejohn brought up the trial near the end of Tuesday’s Lawrence City Commission meeting. He said he’d been out of town during the weeklong trial, which ultimately resulted in the acquittal of Derrick Del Reed, 18, in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Kamarjay Shaw. None of the other members of the five-member City Commission commented on the trial during Tuesday’s meeting.

Littlejohn said that upon hearing the result of the trial he felt sad for both the young people involved and wanted to give space so Shaw’s family could grieve. He also implied that the situation reminded him of lessons imparted to him and said the situation made him think of his own young son.

“Immediately when that happened, I thought of my son and circumstances and certain talks that were given to me, and I know that definitely hit hard,” Littlejohn said. “I can’t even imagine what they’re going through with their loss right now, so I just wanted to let them know that the community is hurting with them and I’m so sorry for their loss.”