On the evening of July 12, 2021, the life of 43-year-old Latisha Burnett, a Black female, was tragically cut short in her Indianapolis home. Police discovered her in the 1200 block of Luett Avenue around 9:30 p.m., after responding to a call. An autopsy would later confirm that she had died from at least one gunshot wound. Burnett was a community-minded individual, having left a career as a computer programmer to establish a nonprofit organization called 'We In This Together'.
Her organization was dedicated to assisting women transitioning back into society from the criminal justice system. Her family was left devastated by the loss of a woman described as an energetic and positive force.
In the initial stages of the investigation, her family voiced their suspicions that a partner was responsible for her death. Homicide detectives diligently worked the case, and their investigation soon pointed toward 41-year-old Alsham Laster as a person of interest. Four months after Burnett's death, on November 5, 2021, detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, assisted by the SWAT team and the violent crime unit, arrested Laster on a warrant for her murder. At the time of his arrest, Laster was found driving Burnett's car. A search of the vehicle uncovered blood-stained sweatpants.
The case against Alsham Laster was further solidified by a crucial piece of digital evidence. A forensic analysis of his phone revealed a photograph of Burnett, taken two days before her body was discovered. In the image, she was on the floor, wearing the very same clothing she had on when she was found deceased. This, combined with the other evidence, painted a grim picture of the events that transpired. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office formally charged Laster with murder, framing the case as a devastating instance of domestic violence.
In October 2023, a jury found Alsham Laster guilty of the murder of Latisha Burnett. He was subsequently sentenced to 62 years in prison, bringing a measure of justice to Burnett's loved ones. Following his conviction, Laster appealed the court's decision, arguing that his cell phone had been seized unlawfully. However, the trial court's ruling was upheld.
