Month: July 2016

Man sentenced to life in prison for murder

Lee E. Williams, 27, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years for first-degree murder.

The case was tried by District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman to a Wyandotte County jury that found Williams guilty on May 26.

Williams fired seven shots at Tysha Carvin from a semi-automatic handgun at point blank range in Carvin’s home on Sept. 4, 2014, as she was on her living room floor, according to the district attorney’s office. Carvin was struck three times.

Williams also was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a handgun. He was prohibited from possessing the handgun because he was previously convicted of robbery.

The jury deliberated an hour and a half before they found Williams guilty as charged of both counts. Williams received a 20-month sentence for the felon in possession of a gun charge, and it was ordered to run consecutive to the sentence for murder.

Carvin was the father of Williams’ 2-year-old son, authorities said. Williams shot Carvin in their son’s presence, the district attorney’s office stated. Almost immediately after the murder, Williams boarded a bus and left Kansas City for Canada. He was arrested in Detroit, Mich., by Homeland Security officials on Sept. 6, 2013, while trying to enter Canada using a false identification.

Williams also had his 44-month probation revoked for a previous drug conviction in Wyandotte County. The murder sentence was ordered to run consecutively to the drug sentence.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman and Assistant District Attorney Alan Fogleman and investigated by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.

KCKCC Community Chamber Choir to begin rehearsals in August

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College is gearing up for another year of vocal music as preparations are being made for the 2016 KCKCC Community Chamber Choir season.

Rehearsals for the KCKCC Community Chamber Choir are Mondays at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 to Dec. 5 in the choir room (Room 2170 of the Humanities Building) on the KCKCC campus, 7250 State Ave. Those interested must complete registration by Aug. 15.

Open to any singer who is at least in high school in Wyandotte, Johnson or Leavenworth counties and who has a desire to sing in a large ensemble, the repertoire of the Community Chamber Choir includes everything from major works to songs from all periods of music. The group performs in two major concerts each semester with the KCKCC Chamber Choir, and while experience in choral singing is recommended, it is not required.

The choir is offered through Community Education, and the cost is $30. It can also be taken for academic credit. Those interested can enroll in person at the Community Education Building, which is on the east side of the main KCKCC campus; by phone at 913-288-7660 or online at http://bit.ly/29S5WEk.

Additional information is available by calling John Stafford at 913-288-7137; by email at [email protected] or on the KCKCC Choir YouTube link at www.youtube.com/user/KCKCCChoralMusic.

KCKCC’s Wagler to play in NJCAA women’s all-star cage game

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College all-conference forward Brooklyn Wagler has been chosen to play in this summer’s NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches All-Star Games.

One of 41 players chosen nationally, Wagler is the first Lady Blue Devil to be chosen for the elite games to be played Saturday and Sunday at Northwest Florida Community College in Dustin. The 41 players will be divided into four teams and will play two games as part of the NJCAA Women’s Coaches Hall of Fame weekend.

One of only two players selected from the Jayhawk Conference, Wagler is also one of only eight non-Division I players selected to the elite team. Szonja Vukov of Highland is the only other player selected from the Jayhawk.

An All-Jayhawk and All-Region VI selection, Wagler was also named to the NJCAA Division II national all-tournament tournament team for her play in helping KCKCC win its first national championship. A 5-8 forward from SM Northwest, Wagler averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds for the season although she increased them to 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds in conference play. She also led Region VI in shooting percentage at 56.7 percent.

“Absolutely deserving,” said KCKCC head coach Joe McKinstry of Wagler’s selection. “It’s a great honor for her but also is a positive reflection on our college and team and a great reward for her sacrifice in doing what she needed to do to help this team win.”

“I’m very excited – and very nervous,” Wagler said. “I’ve never been to Florida; never been to the ocean. The whole year has just been crazy. Winning the national championship and then being chosen one of the top 40 returning freshmen, it’s all kind of crazy to hear.”

A guard in high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest, Wagler moved to forward at KCKCC to fill a rebounding need despite being undersized at just 5-8.

“It was a big change,” she said. “I’d played point guard my whole life and I loved the change. It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball. At point guard, you’re not able to be as aggressive and I like to be physical. I love the physical aspect and love rebounding. At least once a game coach would tell me ‘We need a rebound and we need you to have it.’”

In the national semifinals, Wagler had nine rebounds in an 81-59 win over No. 1 seeded Monroe and 10 in the 81-59 championship win over No. 2 Illinois Central.

“She has a motor that sets her apart from players who are bigger or more talented,” McKinstry said. “She’s constantly competing and playing hard and what really sets her apart is that I don’t have to call plays or single her out to put her in position to contribute. She does it with her effort and basketball IQ; always in the right place at the right time.”