A partial win for Ali Kemp's killer?

The Kansas Supreme Court has reversed one of the convictions against Benjamin Appleby in his 2002 slaying of Ali Kemp, throwing out the attempted-rape charge, David Klepper reports. They say it was a case of convicting him twice for the same offense. Appleby's murder conviction stands, though his attorney tried to get it thrown out.

Have you seen this man?

UPDATE: A second victim, Jose Diaz-Turcios, has died, KCK police say.

Over the weekend, Wyandotte County charged two men in the slaying of 19-year-old Gerson Diaz-Turcios on Friday near 18th and Central. (The victim's brother was badly wounded in the shooting, too.) One of the suspects, 20-year-old Eldier Molina, is already in jail, but authorities are looking for Juan Lopez, 18, who faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. (Jim Sullinger has a report on the case here.)

This isn't Lopez's first brush with the law -- last month, he was acquitted of murdering Ricky Zamora back in February. As always, anyone with information is asked to call the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department at 913-573-3000 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Man, 28, killed near 900 block of Armstrong in KCK

From KCKPD: On Sunday, November 15, 2009 at about 0449 hours, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department responded to the alley south of the 900 block of Armstrong Avenue on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Kansas City, Kansas resident Jose Salazar-Moreno, Hispanic male, DOB 05/08/1981, who had been shot. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he died. The victim’s family has been notified and there is no suspect information at this time.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident to please call 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

BTK case coming up on 'Anatomy of a Takedown'

The Eagle reports that the episode -- featuring notorious serial killer Dennis Rader, who haunted Wichita for years -- will air at 6 p.m. Nov. 15 on the Discovery Channel.

Rader (known as BTK for his m.o. of "bind, torture, kill") pleaded guilty to 10 murders between 1974 and 1991, and was sentenced to 10 consecutive life sentences.

| Sara Shepherd

Rader

Inmate formerly at Leavenworth accused of killing fellow prisoner

A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kan., has indicted Michael White, 30, now in custody at the Florence Federal Correctional Complex in Florence, Colo., with murdering a fellow inmate while they both were in custody at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth.

White is accused of murdering Michael McAnulty on Dec. 31, 2003. McAnulty was serving a life sentence for an assault with a deadly weapon on a mail custodian during a 1997 armed robbery in Charlotte, N.C.

After the jump, other indictments returned:

Roeder supporters launch eBay auction

The supporters of Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing Dr. George Tiller, have reportedly started auctioning items on eBay to raise money for his defense -- even though eBay has already promised to shut them down, Judy Thomas reports. They say they're only going to do the noncontroversial items, and they're using "unconventional" spellings to make the items harder to locate. I just did a couple of quick searches and couldn't find anything yet.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Searching!

KCK names homicide victim from1300 block of North 4th

From KCKPD: The victim from the homicide which occurred on Friday, October 30, 2009 in the 1300 Block of North 4th Street has been identified. LeDion D. Brown, black male, DOB 03/17/1990, was a Kansas City, Kansas resident. The victim’s family has been notified. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident to please call 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Should Roeder jurors be screened for views on abortion?

Attorneys for Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing Dr. George Tiller, want the judge to prevent prosecutors from striking people with anti-abortion opinions during jury selection. (Prosecution hasn't responded yet.) Roeder's attorneys argue that doing so would be against the First Amendment.

eBay says no to Roeder fund-raiser

The auction Web site has decided that, no, it won't let supporters of Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing Dr. George Tiller, sell items to raise money for Roeder's defense. The defendant's admirers planned to sell a prison cookbook, drawings by Roeder and a manual on shutting down abortion clinics. They say they've got other plans, though declined to share them with Judy Thomas, who wrote the article.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, Searching

Have you seen this man?

KCK police are looking for a man named Levert X. Braswell so they can question him in a homicide that happened Oct. 19. (Over in the 1500 block of Georgia, to be specific.) Braswell is 20 years old, 5 feet 11, 165 pounds. KCK's Major Case Unit is working this one. Anyone with information is asked to call KCK at 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Mom charged in Leavenworth boy's death

Gabriel Rivera, 4, was taken to the hospital back in early October for serious injuries, which later killed him. His mother's boyfriend, Jason Jones, was charged in the case, and now it looks like Gabriel's mom will face charges, too.

From Leavenworth PD: The Leavenworth Police Department announces a 2nd arrest in the murder investigation of Gabriel Rivera. At 10:45 a.m. investigators took custody of 28-year-old Monica Rivera in the 100 block of Mary Street in Leavenworth. Monica is the mother of the victim and was arrested pursuant to criminal charges filed by the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office for Aggravated Endangering of a Child.

Scott Roeder's supporters plan online auction

Supporters of Roeder, the man accused of murdering abortion provider George Tiller, say they're planning an online auction to raise money for his defense, Judy Thomas reports. (It's not clear if it'll actually happen -- eBay has a policy that should bar this sort of thing from happening.) Among the items to be auctioned: an Army of God manual for disrupting abortion clinics, drawings from Roeder himself and a prison cookbook compiled by the woman who shot and wounded Tiller back in 1993.

"Law & Order" bases episode off Tiller murder

It'll air tonight, the Wichita Eagle says. This is nothing new: L&O "rips stories from the headlines" all of the time. (I can remember one based on the John Robinson case.) The Eagle interviewed people there who say that it's too soon to do a show based on the homicide, though.

Man wanted for questioning in KCK homicide

From KCK PD: The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the person shown in the picture below. Thomas W. Collier, black male, DOB 11/06/1965, is wanted for questioning in the homicide that took place on Monday, October 19, 2009 in the 1500 Block of Georgia Avenue.

(He's 43, 160 pounds and 5 feet 10.)

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information that will assist in locating this person to please call 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Guilty verdict in KCK boy's murder

From Sara Shepherd: Ricardo Zamora died after being shot in the head that afternoon in the 1100 block of Splitlog Avenue, a day before his 14th birthday. He was a student at Central Middle School. Patricio Briseno of Kansas City, Kan., is scheduled to be sentenced for the crime on Dec. 4, according to the Wyandotte County district attorney’s office. A seven-day trial preceded the guilty verdict.

KCK names homicide victim

From KCK PD: The victim from the homicide that occurred on Monday, October 19, 2009 in the 1500 Block of Georgia Avenue has been identified. Dennis J. Moore Sr., black male, DOB 01/03/1966 was a Kansas City, Kansas resident. The victim’s family has been notified. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident to please call 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Wichita victim's parents fight killer's parole

The parents of Nancy Shoemaker are actively fighting the possible parole of Donald Wacker, who was convicted of helping abduct their daughter in 1990. The little girl was then sexually assaulted and killed by his accomplice. Nancy had been walking to the store to buy a 7-Up for her brother, who had an upset stomach. Her parents have gathered about 15,000 signatures, which they plan to present at Wacker's hearing on Monday.

Who killed Lakota Renville?

From Crime Stoppers: October 16, 2009 marks the four year anniversary of the discovery of the body of Lakota R. Renville near 92nd and Pitcher Road. The 22 year old Native American woman was found beaten and stabbed in a known illegal “dump” site. Her body was found wrapped in a Southwestern style blanket pictured.

Family members from North Dakota continue to hope for a resolution to the case and remain in contact with the TIPS Hotline and her story was recently featured in the June issue of Kansas City’s Most Wanted Newspaper.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), TIPS may also be submitted electronically at KCcrimestoppers.com, or by texting TIP452 and you information to 274637 (CRIMES). Information leading to an arrest in the case could be eligible for up to $1,000.00 in reward money.

Who killed Steven Allen?

From KCKPD: The victim from the homicide that occurred on Thursday, October 8, 2009 in the 3000 Block of North 11th has been identified. Steven Allen, black male, DOB 10/05/1977 was a Kansas City, Kansas resident. The victim’s family has been notified. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department’s Major Case Unit is encouraging anyone with information regarding the incident to please call 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Who killed William V. Williams?

From Joe Lambe: A man shot Sunday in Kansas City, Kan., has died, and police are investigating the murder. William V. Williams, 36, of Kansas City, Kan., died at a hospital after the shooting in the 2000 block of North First Street, police said Monday. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 913-573-6020 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

10 years since Pamela Butler abduction

It's been almost 10 years since Pamela Butler, age 10, was stolen from outside her home in KCK, spurring one of the city's largest manhunts, Fox 4 reports. A man named Keith Nelson was convicted of her murder and sentenced to death, though he's still alive at this point. Pamela's family had a get-together in her memory earlier today.

Here's a copy of the original charging document against Nelson.

KCK investigates homicide on North 11th

From Meredith Rodriguez: A man was found shot to death about 8:45 this evening in a house in the 3000 block of North 11th Street in Kansas City, Kan.. A second person went to a hospital with minor injuries. Police do not believe the victims were shooting at each other, said police spokesman Mike Golden, and detectives were trying to develop information about the shooter. Officers are waiting for a search warrant before entering the home.

Remembering Keighley Alyea

Shelby Gochenour, 18, stands up for her friend during the vigil for Keighley Alyea on Wednesday, Oct. 7th, at Westside Family Church in Lenexa. Alyea had been missing for a week when her body was found on Monday. PHOTO BY: ALLISON LONG

Joe Lambe and Meredith Rodriguez have another follow-up on the case here.

More about the Keighley Alyea case ...

Joe Lambe and Dawn Bormann have a full report on yesterday's business -- namely, the charging of three young men in Alyea's abduction and murder. Dustin B. Hilt, 18, of Shawnee; Gerald S. Calbeck, 18, of Merriam; and Joseph D. Mattox, 21, of Overland Park are each facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

There's going to be a vigil for Alyea at 7:30 p.m. today at Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Drive in Lenexa.

Prosecutors say that Alyea was lured over to go see Hilt at 1:30 in the morning, thanks to an urgent text message. The two had dated for a few years, but friends and family say it was an abusive relationship and involved drugs. They say Alyea had broken things off and gotten clean, but others say the two still had some contact.

According to KSHB, they had to attack Alyea twice to make sure she was dead. Snip:

“Somewhere along the drive out east of Harrisonville, she regained consciousness and at that time, they had the option to do the right thing and they chose to finish killing her,” Frentrop said.

Alyea has Hilt's name tattooed on her back, KSHB noted. The family wants it removed before her funeral.

KCTV interviews Calbeck's dad, who wonders if the other two are trying to pin the murder on his son, whom he calls a good kid.

OP woman's body was discovered in Cass County, police say

From OPPD: The body of Keighley Ann Alyea was located in at approximately 9:30 p.m., on the night of October 5, 2009. The body was located in a farm field near the intersection of East 235th Street and South State Route K Highway, in Cass County, Missouri. The law enforcement agencies involved at the location are the Cass County Missouri Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Kansas Sheriff’s Crime Lab and Investigators from the Overland Park Kansas Police Department.