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Murder Convictions Overturned In 2013 Family Dollar Slayings

DEARBORN (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan appeals court has overturned murder convictions and ordered a new trial for a 37-year-old man accused of killing two people who worked at a metro Detroit dollar store.

The court says Lavere Bryant's trial was spoiled by testimony that wasn't relevant to the charges against him. He was accused of killing Joseph Orlando and Brenna Machus, both 20, who worked at a Family Dollar store in Dearborn.

Click here to read the court's opinion (.pdf format)

Orlando's body was found in the store in July 2013 while Machus' body was found days later nearby in a wooded area; both had been shot in the head. A store surveillance video captured images of the suspect on the night of the crime.

Bryant was a former co-worker who had been fired two weeks earlier after other employees complained about him sexually harassing workers and customers.

During the trial, jurors heard about Bryant's prior convictions, his sex offender status and viewing of pornography. The appeals court says the testimony was "highly distracting" and not related to the slayings.

"The trial court abused its discretion in allowing the admission of this evidence," the appeal's court wrote in its opinion. "The evidence likely had a significant effect on the trier of fact and was used as a basis to convict defendant. It was overwhelming and worked to deprive defendant of a fair trial."

The 3-0 decision was released Wednesday.

Bryant was convicted in November 2014 of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, two counts of first-degree felony murder, armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced the following month to life in prison without parole.

The prosecution's theory at trial was that Bryant committed the robbery, shot Orlando inside the store, and then abducted and sexually assaulted Machus before shooting her. The motive, prosecutors argued, was revenge against Bryant's former coworkers for reporting his sexual harassment. Michigan State Police forensic scientist Andrea Young testified that DNA found on a shopping cart, towels, and in Bryant's car links him to the victims.

The defense argued that the prosecution's theory was not consistent with the evidence and that there were innocent explanations for evidence that pointed toward defendant. During the trial, Bryant -- who was never charged with any sexual assault against Machus -- repeatedly said he didn't commit the crime.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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