# Savage parolee who fatally shot niece of local judge 19 times lands life behind bars

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/savage-parolee-who-fatally-shot-niece-of-local-judge-19-times-lands-life-behind-bars/
- Published: 2026-11-08T23:42:14+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T00:34:39+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/08/us-news/parolee-who-fatally-shot-niece-of-new-orleans-judge-19-times-lands-life-behind-bars/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Atkins received life in prison without parole.
- Powell was shot 19 times in July 2023.
- She had warned police she feared being killed.

## Summary

Kelvin Atkins, 39, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing Johnshane “Nay” Powell, a mother of two and niece of a New Orleans judge. The case has raised questions about how Atkins, who was on parole and had been arrested on domestic-abuse charges shortly before the killing, was released on bail.

Prosecutors said Atkins shot Powell 19 times in July 2023 because he feared she would testify against him. Two days before her death, Powell reportedly warned police, “What happens if y’all let him go and I end up dead tomorrow.” A first trial ended in a deadlock on the murder charge; a retrial jury found Atkins guilty of second-degree murder in September.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.