Life Sentence for Man Convicted in Jewelry Store Murder

Strategic Insights -

Kenneth Bernard Laws, 53, was handed a life sentence for his role in the murder of John Lauseng, 44, the owner of the West Palm Coin and Jewelry Exchange. Lauseng was shot in the back and arm during a robbery on July 26, 2022. A jury convicted Laws of first-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy, and false imprisonment charges. He received a mandatory life sentence on the murder charge and an additional life sentence for the robbery charge, along with 120 years in prison for the other charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kenneth Bernard Laws, 53, was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy, and false imprisonment charges in the death of John Lauseng at the West Palm Coin and Jewelry Exchange.
  • The jury delivered the verdict after a trial, with Laws receiving a mandatory life sentence on the murder charge and an additional life sentence for the robbery charge.
  • Laws and another man went into the store at Westgate and Congress avenues, ordered Lauseng to open the safe, and shot him in the back and arm as he tried to escape.
  • Hasan Jones, the getaway driver and a key witness, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for his testimony against Laws and Aaron Smith, the other man charged in the case.
  • Laws's sentencing hearing will be set after he testifies against Smith.
  • Lauseng's death is a tragic loss for the community, and the conviction of Laws brings some closure to the family and friends of the victim.
  • The case highlights the importance of witness testimony and the role it played in securing the conviction of Laws and the plea of Jones.

Statistics:

  • 1 life sentence for first-degree murder
  • 1 life sentence for robbery
  • 120 years in prison for conspiracy and false imprisonment charges
  • July 26, 2022: Date of the robbery and murder
  • Kenneth Bernard Laws, Aaron Smith, and Hasan Jones are the three men charged in the case

Sources:

  • Daphne Duret, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer