MOUNT VERNON, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his daughter’s ex-boyfriend after a squabble about an outdoor patio table and grill.

53-year-old Robert Waite Jr., of Carthage, accepted a plea offer Tuesday in which he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the August 2015 killing of 32-year-old Kevin Stafford. Waite initially was charged with first-degree murder, which would have carried a life sentence.

Investigators believe Waite was upset that Stafford had called police to report that his ex-girlfriend had taken the table and grill. After an officer contacted her, she returned the items.

The shooting happened when Mills’ father learned what happened and drove about 30 miles to Mount Vernon from Carthage to confront Stafford. Sentencing is set for March 5.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Incoming Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says she doesn’t think Republican lawmakers will be able to approve a state constitutional amendment on school funding.

And, she says, if they did pass the amendment, she believes Kansas voters would reject it.

GOP lawmakers have discussed a constitutional amendment for years in reaction to Kansas Supreme Court rulings on school financing.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita, said earlier this week he believes there is a renewed interest in an amendment.

Two-thirds of the House and Senate would have to approve the amendment before it went to voters.

GOP leaders said this week they may consider reopening – or even starting over – on a funding plan passed this year. Kelly also rejected that idea.

CHEROKEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for alleged cattle theft.

Early Tuesday, the Cherokee County Kansas Sheriff’s Office was notified of the theft of 17 steers from a rural Columbus, Kansas pasture, according to a media release.

Shortly after being notified, the cattle owner was contacted by an employee with an Oklahoma City Livestock Barn, who recognized the owner’s brand on 17 steers being delivered to sell at auction that morning.

Cherokee County authorities then coordinated efforts with the Livestock Investigator for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, who reached out to his counterparts in Oklahoma City.

“I’m excited about the way this case came together, very quickly, thanks to rapid and accurate information sharing along with collaboration between the cattle owner, representatives of the sale barn, and all law enforcement involved, including the Special Livestock Investigators in Kansas and Oklahoma,” according to Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

“Once the steers were positively identified as those stolen from Cherokee County, law enforcement worked in partnership with the sale barn operators and appeared to sell the cattle,” said Groves.

When the suspects went to collect payment for the cattle, they were taken into custody.

Anthony Francis Whittley and Jasmine A. Boone, both 27 of rural Labette County, Kansas, are currently being held in the Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Jail on allegations of Transporting Stolen Property Across State Lines, Concealing Stolen Property and being in Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony.

“At this time our office is seeking charges in Kansas for Felony Theft and Criminal Damage to Property, but we also anticipate the filing of additional charges with regards to a similar case from late November, where 8 cows were stolen north of Columbus,” said Groves.

 

 

 

JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after a high speed chase.

Just before before 8a.m, Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2009 Chevy Impala on U.S. Hwy 75 near 110th Road in southern Jackson County for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver, later identified as Michael Todd Belaire-Serna, 36, Topeka, allegedly failed to stop and fled from the deputy southbound into Shawnee County.

The deputy continued the pursuit which led to the area of Topeka Blvd. and NW Independence Avenue where the deputy terminated the pursuit.

KHP Troopers and Shawnee County Deputies assisted with the search for the driver and vehicle.

Later in the day, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Dispatch was contacted by Belaire-Serna who stated he had reported his car stolen in Topeka.

Topeka Police went to meet with Belaire-Serna to take a stolen vehicle report. Topeka Police took Belaire-Serna into custody and released him to Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Belaire-Serna was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, reckless driving, felony interference with law enforcement, and driving while revoked. He is also being cited for numerous traffic offenses. Belaire-Serna’s vehicle was recovered in the 1900 of NW Fillmore Street in Topeka and impounded.

Blaire-Serna has four previous drug convictions including two in November.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting and aggravated battery to a law enforcement officer and have another suspect in custody, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.

Just before 11a.m. November 27,  Retana was last seen running southbound from a silver SUV from NE Grant and NE Madison, in the company of another adult female, according to Beightel.

Officers had witnessed the maroon passenger vehicle stalled out in the intersection of NE Grant and NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Beightel. The Officer went to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle.

At that time, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the area, because a Trooper attempted to stop that vehicle earlier in the morning, but the driver of the vehicle later identified as Jarmane Dyane Logan, 35, Topeka,  fled and evaded the Trooper.

As the Trooper and Officer were speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a silver SUV approached them at a high rate of speed, almost striking them.

The occupants of the maroon passenger car attempted to flee and get into the SUV.

As the Trooper and Officer tried to intervene, the Trooper and Officer were dragged by the SUV. The trooper shot and injured the Logan.  He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and died, according to Beightel.

Retina has previous convictions for fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 

AURORA, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors will recommend probation for a Missouri man convicted of fatally hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle on Interstate 80 in central Nebraska.

29-year-old Victor Genetti, of Sugar Creek, Missouri, has pleaded no contest to motor vehicle homicide in the March 1 death of a 26-year-old India Marie Simpson, of Waxhaw, North Carolina. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will ask for a sentence of two years’ probation.

Simpson had been a passenger in a vehicle that had broken down near Giltner. Investigators say she was walking along the interstate shoulder to a tow truck when a semi driven by Genetti hit and killed her.