AG gets guilty verdict in murder case
Six is the first AG in 34 years to personally try a criminal case
May 19, 2009 -- Attorney General Steve Six announced today that a jury in Osborne County found Kenneth Eugene Wilson guilty of murdering a farmer with his own gun.
Six personally prosecuted Wilson for the first-degree murder of Jeffrey Scott Noel of Portis, Kans. Wilson was also found guilty of one count aggravated burglary, one count burglary of a residence, and one count felony possession of a firearm.
"Osborne County Sheriff Curtis Miner, County Attorney Paul Gregory, the KBI and all local law enforcement have done an excellent job on this case," Six said. "We will continue to work together until Kenneth Wilson is sentenced."
Through testimony from family members, neighbors and law enforcement, the state proved that Wilson burglarized Noel's home in Osborne County, took the victim's cell phone and $50, and fatally shot him with victim's own gun. The prosecution also presented DNA evidence matching the defendant found on a cigarette in the victim's home.
"My heart goes out to the family of Scott Noel," Six said. "I am committed to providing families in all corners of our state the best quality criminal prosecution available."
Sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Attorney General Six is the first sitting Kansas attorney general to personally prosecute a criminal case in 34 years.
"It is important for me to lead by example and be in the court room-whether that's prosecuting a murder case or arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court."
The last attorney general to prosecute a criminal case before Six was Curt Schneider. The defendant's name was Frank Pencek, Jr. He was convicted of the rape, kidnapping and murder of 20 year old Elizabeth Bush in Geary County on May 17, 1974. Pencek was sentenced on July 29, 1975 and is still incarcerated.