WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A jury has found Javan Ervin guilty of causing a crash that killed a pregnant Wichita woman on Thursday.
Ervin was found guilty of seven of eight counts he was charged with:
- Murder in the First degree; In the commission of a felony
- Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon to cause great bodily harm/disfigurement or death
- Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in wickless driving
- Flee or attempt to elude; Motor vehicle accident or damage property
- Criminal possession of weapon by felon; Convicted within 5 years
- Failure to stop at accident; Resulting in death
- Drive while license canceled/suspended/revoked
Ervin was found not guilty of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.
Prosecutors said Ervin was a robbery suspect and took off from officers when he crashed into a car at Central and Ridge in July 2021.
The impact of that crash killed Samantha Russell, but doctors were able to save her baby.
Russell’s husband, Brandon, spoke after the verdict was read. He said there is a sense of closure knowing Ervin was found guilty.
“I think the verdict was warranted, 100%,” Brandon said. “If I had a say in it, I would have chosen (a life sentence) at a minimum, not whatever he’s going to get.”
It’s been nearly two years since the incident, and Brandon says having his son around has been a huge help for him.
“This little guy here, he’s definitely been a big help,” Brandon said, pointing to his son Mac. “He’s the thing we hang onto now.”
Ervin’s case was declared a mistrial in April because a juror allegedly told the judge another juror commented about media coverage in the jury room.
Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26.
