Judge Overturns Jury's Murder Verdict, Finds Man Not Guilty

LaRoy Robinson acquitted of murder after judge rules self-defense claim was mishandled in previous trial.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the evidence at the center of a self-defense case.A single gunshot casing becomes the focal point of a high-stakes legal battle over self-defense.Columbus Today

A Columbus man who was convicted of murder in 2024 for a 2023 shooting death has been found not guilty after a judge overturned the jury's verdict and held a new trial. LaRoy Robinson, 51, was acquitted of murder and other charges by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Serrott, who determined Robinson acted in self-defense when he fatally shot 46-year-old Malik Islam.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complexities around self-defense claims, especially in situations involving prior criminal histories and reputations for violence. The judge's decision to overturn the jury's initial murder conviction and hold a new trial underscores the importance of properly instructing juries on self-defense laws.

The details

According to court records, Robinson was sitting in a parked car on December 2, 2023, when Islam approached him and became verbally aggressive. Robinson testified that after a second confrontation, he believed Islam was reaching for a gun, so he fired a single shot, killing Islam. Robinson said Islam was known to have a reputation for violence. After Robinson's initial murder conviction in 2024, his attorney successfully argued that the jury had been given improper instructions on evaluating the self-defense claim, leading the judge to overturn the verdict.

  • On December 2, 2023, the shooting incident occurred.
  • In May 2024, a jury convicted Robinson of murder and other charges.
  • After the trial, the judge set aside the jury's verdict.
  • On April 13, 2026, Robinson had a second trial where the judge found him not guilty.

The players

LaRoy Robinson

A 51-year-old Columbus man who was initially convicted of murder in 2024 for a 2023 shooting, but was later found not guilty after the judge overturned the jury's verdict and held a new trial.

Malik Islam

A 46-year-old man who was fatally shot by Robinson in December 2023. Robinson claimed Islam had a reputation for violence.

Judge Mark Serrott

The Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge who overturned Robinson's initial murder conviction and found him not guilty after a new trial.

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What they’re saying

“The shooting was in self-defense and Islam was known to have a reputation for being violent and dangerous.”

— LaRoy Robinson, Defendant

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities around self-defense claims, especially when prior criminal histories and reputations for violence are involved. The judge's decision to overturn the initial jury verdict and hold a new trial underscores the importance of properly instructing juries on self-defense laws to ensure fair outcomes.