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Man sentenced to life without parole in 2014 Fairmount Park death

Nadya Faulx
/
KMUW

After her death, Wichita State University and members of the Fairmount community created the Shocker Neighborhood Coalition to reevaluate the needs and safety of the area.

Cornell McNeal was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole in the 2014 death of Letitia Davis.

Davis was raped, set on fire and beaten in Fairmount Park, near 16th and Hillside. She died eight days later.

After her death, Wichita State University and members of the Fairmount community created the Shocker Neighborhood Coalition to reevaluate the needs and safety of the area.

The city added LED lighting to Fairmount and other parks as a result. Community leaders said the park has been used more since additional changes were made.

McNeal’s attorneys filed a notice of appeal after the sentencing. They also made a motion for a new trial before the sentencing, which was denied.

Appellate court rulings, mental health evaluations for McNeal and counsel changes stalled the trial for years, according to the Wichita Eagle.

Kylie Cameron (she/her) is a general assignment reporter for KMUW. Before KMUW, Kylie was a digital producer at KWCH, and served as editor in chief of The Sunflower at Wichita State. You can follow her on Twitter @bykyliecameron.