Trial date set for brothers accused in 2023 death of Ayanna Morgan

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — A Warren County judge has set a trial date for twin brothers accused in the 2023 death of Ayanna Morgan, a 21-year-old Western Kentucky University student who was shot outside the Muse Apartments.

Malik and Malcolm Jones appeared in court Tuesday for a pre-trial conference, where the judge scheduled their joint trial to begin on Jan. 6. Both face charges related to Morgan’s death, which investigators say occurred during a confrontation in the apartment complex parking lot in July of 2023. 

The Jones brothers are among three people charged in connection with the case. Their co-defendant, Kobee Lancaster, appeared separately Tuesday for a status hearing. The court scheduled his next appearance for Feb. 2, which could serve as either another pre-trial meeting or the start of his trial.

The case has been one of the most closely watched in Warren County, drawing attention from both the community and Western Kentucky University students. Prosecutors allege that the three men played varying roles in the incident that led to Morgan’s death, though each maintains his innocence.

Earlier this month, Malik Jones was found not guilty on a gun-related charge stemming from the same investigation. However, he and his brother still face additional charges that will be decided in the upcoming trial.

If the January proceedings move forward as scheduled, the trial will mark nearly two-and-a-half years since Morgan’s death, a case that continues to echo across Bowling Green and the WKU community.