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Conviction in Georgia Murder Case Involves Identical Twins
The investigation into the murder of 22-year-old Chryjhonne Rainey took a complex turn when his ex-girlfriend, Kyla Lett, emerged as a primary suspect. Prosecutors faced the challenge of ruling out Kyla’s twin sister, Kayla Lett, from being a potential shooter, adding layers of intricacy to the case.
According to Fulton County Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Nalda Charles, a key part of the prosecution’s strategy involved addressing any speculation that Kyla might attempt to implicate her sister. To dispel doubts, Kayla was the first witness called during Kyla’s trial.
During her testimony, Kayla recounted the events leading up to the incident, explaining that she had dropped off Kyla and Chryjhonne at a Greyhound bus station in Ohio for a trip to Atlanta. Notably, Kayla corroborated that it was indeed Kyla who appeared in a video on Chryjhonne’s cellphone, recorded hours before the murder, as they traveled on a MARTA train.
As part of the evidence, Kayla confirmed her absence from Atlanta at the time of the shooting, reinforcing the prosecution’s assertion that she had no involvement. Charles emphasized that Kayla was not responsible for Rainey’s death, stating, “She absolutely, definitely did not execute Chryjhonne Rainey.”
Investigators utilized Lyft records to trace Kyla’s movements on the day of the crime, placing her at a laundromat in metro Atlanta on October 8, 2022. This timeline was crucial for the jury as they considered the evidence presented.
Assistant District Attorney Michelle Andrews characterized the relationship between Kyla and Chryjhonne as toxic. Their breakup in Atlanta was marked by escalating tension, particularly as Rainey had taken personal belongings from their shared motel room, potentially providing a motive for Kyla’s alleged actions.
On March 28, 2025, a jury found Kyla Lett guilty of murder. Following the verdict, Judge Carnesale sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional five years.
Andrews provided insight into the dynamics of domestic violence, pointing out that Rainey had made several 911 calls reporting a woman had threatened him with a gun, suggesting he may have known his assailant but hesitated to divulge her identity—an indicative behavior of many domestic violence victims seeking to protect their abuser.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis noted the unusual circumstances surrounding the suspect, remarking on the disconnect between Kyla’s appearance and societal stereotypes of domestic violence perpetrators. “I really grieve for this mother,” Willis said, highlighting the tragic loss of life in this case.
Charles mentioned the overwhelming amount of video evidence tied to the case, including footage of the shooting itself. Although Kyla attempted to change her clothing, her distinctive shoes, captured in surveillance images, ultimately played a key role in identifying her as the shooter.
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