WICHITA, Kan. — Two men accused of murder appeared in a Sedgwick County courtroom on Tuesday.
In the first case, a 22-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly shot three men in a car on Thursday near 53rd Street North and Meridian.
Adam Ray was charged with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of possession of methamphetamine in connection with the shooting, which left one man dead and two critically injured.
Police have said Ray shot the three men in the head with a handgun because he thought they were trying to collect drug money he owed. According to court documents, 21-year-old Omar Garcia died at the scene.
After initially fleeing, Ray later returned to turn himself in, police have said.
Ray, appearing over a closed-circuit television monitor from the Sedgwick County Jail, asked no questions of Judge Jeff Goering in court Tuesday. He has hired attorney Sal Intagliata to represent him.
Ray is being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $250,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 10.
In the second case, a 41-year-old man was charged with first-degree murder in connection with a May homicide at a party at Parrot-fa-Nalia, near Hillside and George Washington Boulevard.
Grover James also appeared before Goering over closed-circuit television. He asked no questions as Goering read him the charges: one count of first-degree murder and one count of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Police have said James got into an argument at a private party at Parrot’s Party Place, a rental space beside the Parrot-fa-Nalia Unique Boutique, on May 9. The argument escalated into gunfire, police have said.
One of the bullets struck Leon McClennon, 17, in the head, killing him. McClennon, a student at Wichita West High School, had no criminal history and was not involved in James’ argument, police have said.
James is being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear on Nov. 10.
Read the full article at Kansas.com
The Wichita Eagle – By Matt Reidl