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Kansas Supreme Court upheld conviction in April 2020 homicide case in Topeka

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Kansas Supreme Court upheld conviction in April 2020 homicide case in Topeka


TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas Supreme Court upheld a conviction in an April 2020 homicide case involving three defendants in Topeka, Kan.

The three defendants, Diquan Clayton, James Boatwright and Davontra Alston, had been charged in the shooting death of D’Angelo Payne.

Kansas Supreme Court officials announced on Friday, July 5 that they affirmed Alston’s convictions in the Shawnee County District Court for first-degree murder and conspiracy in the case State of Kansas v. Davontra Leonard Alston.

Officials said the court rejected the Alston’s argument that a conviction under a theory for conspiracy punished the same behavior twice, which was an unconstitutional violation of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Section 10 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights.

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Officials indicated the court reaffirmed the longstanding precedent that a conviction for conspiracy is a separate crime than a conviction for murder because conspiracy punishes the agreement to commit murder, while a murder conviction punishes the killing itself.

The court said they rejected Alston’s claims that he was entitled to a new trial based on various arguments of error at the trial court, holding that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying a new trial.

On April 4, 2020, Shawnee Co. District Attorney Mike Kagay said law enforcement officials were called just before 11:30 p.m. to the area of 5th and Western with reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, Kagay said officers found a 2001 Ford Taurus had left the road and crashed into the front yard of 512 SW Western. Payne was identified as the driver and only occupant of the vehicle. He had been suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said the investigation led to the arrest and charging of three co-defendants.

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In January 2021, Kagay said the Court held a 3-day preliminary hearing for the three, which found probable cause and set them each for their own separate trials.

Kagay said in the case, the State of Kansas v. Davontra Alston, 20-CR-1714, a jury trial was held in May 2021, which found Alston guilty of the following and sentenced to 618 months, or 51.5 years, in prison:

  • Murder in the First Degree, Premeditated
  • Alternatively, Murder in the First Degree, Committed during an Inherently Dangerous Felony
  • Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree, Premeditated
  • Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle

In the case, the State of Kansas v. James Boatwright, 20-CR-637, a jury trial found Boatwright guilty of the following and sentencing had been scheduled for Dec. 17:

  • Murder in the First Degree, Premeditated
  • Alternatively, Murder in the First Degree, Committed during an Inherently Dangerous Felony
  • Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree, Premeditated
  • Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle

Kagay also said in the case of the State of Kansas v. Diquan Clayton, 20-CR-774, a jury trial had been set to start next week. However, on Friday, Clayton entered a plea of Guilty to First Degree Murder, Committed during an Inherently Dangerous Felony. He was sentenced following Boatwright at 3 p.m. on Dec. 17.



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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

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“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

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“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

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He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

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“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

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Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



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