Protesters seeking justice for Doug Harless and his family remain adamant in their fight to see action, accountability and to have answers in the case that involved officers storming Doug Harless’s home on Vanzant Road in the rural community of Lily on Dec. 23 in 2024 with an arrest want for a stolen weed eater. London City Police, however, responded to the wrong address.
Doug Harless was fatally shot in the chaos that ensued. While protesters, along with Doug Harless’s family, have grown frustrated with the lack of answers and action over the last year. recent movement in the case has them cautiously optimistic. In November, the Kentucky State Police turned over its investigation of the fatal shooting to special prosecutor, Commonwealth Attorney Matthew Leveridge out of Wayne County. Leveridge confirmed with WUKY News that he had received the case and will be reviewing it.
Jamie Burns, a friend of the Harless family who has been heading up the Justice For Doug protests, said she understood why the case was handed over to a special prosecutor, but hoped the case will still be given the close inspection she said it needed.
Another development in the case is the filing of a wrongful death civil lawsuit by the family of Doug Harless against the London Police Department and the city. Because of pending litigation, the family cannot comment on the case, but Burns said that despite their heartbreak, their spirits remain high in their pursuit of justice.
One of the protesters who has been adamant in the Justice For Doug fight is William Eversole, who claims the system has been broken for so long in Laurel County that he’s decided to get politically involved from all of this. Eversole filed for candidacy in the judge executive race in Laurel County. He doesn’t want to talk about the political race, however, while taking part in protest matters because he said his foremost intent was to bring attention to the case and to get Doug Harless the justice he deserves. Eversole and his family had been good friends with Doug for several years. He makes it a point to carry his Justice For Doug protest sign to downtown London every day so that residents won’t forget.
With London Mayor Randall Weddle and his city council continuing not getting along with controversial ordinances, cancelled meetings and turmoil surrounding how the city should be ran, the Justice For Doug protesters continue to show up at every city council meeting with their signs and continue to hold Main Street protests monthly along with candlelight vigils. Eversole said the lights will continue to burn until there is justice.
If the criminal case against the London police and the city does not get any traction while in the hands of the special prosecutor, Eversole said he will continue to go to Main Street with his Justice For Doug sign no matter what. Burns said the recent movement in the case from the Kentucky State Police investigation to the desk of the prosecutor had sparked renewed resolve with protesters, and in the days nearing the one year mark of Doug Harless’s shooting death by police, she prays that even more major steps will be made in the town's fight for justice.