Archive for Friday, August 10, 2001
Defendant takes stand in murder case
August 10, 2001
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Wichita — A man charged with first-degree murder said he didn't see his son grab a gun and shoot another boy suspected of vandalizing their mailbox.
Dennis May, 51, of Andale, testified Wednesday at his trial in the death of Steve Lewick, 16, who was fatally shot during a chase on snowpacked, rural roads the night of Dec. 26, 2000.
May's 17-year-old son, Josh, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in February after prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 22 months in a state youth center.
Under Kansas law, any person involved in an inherently dangerous felony resulting in death can be charged with first-degree murder.
Dennis May testified that upon hearing someone vandalizing his mailbox after the night of Dec. 26, he grabbed a loaded Marlin .22-caliber rifle from a closet.
Josh, seeing the mailbox on the ground, drove his truck to the road with sister Jessica, 15, in the back seat, the father testified. He recalled telling his son, "Just forget it," and that the son replied, "No, c'mon: We can catch them."
May said he got in the truck and took the gun because he didn't want to leave it to rust in the snow while they pursued the vandals. When they caught up with the Ford Explorer, May said, he told Josh to block it with the pickup truck.
May said he didn't see Josh grab the gun and only heard the shots. May told Josh, "You hit something or someone," after the Explorer stopped moving.
Prosecutor Ron Paschal noted discrepancies between Dennis May's testimony and what he told detectives earlier.
On the stand, May said he once mentioned to his children about shooting out tires to stop a car, while they watched a police chase during a TV show.
But in December, Dennis May told detectives his own father used to talk about shooting out tires, Paschal said.
Paschal also challenged May for telling detectives in December that he got back inside the truck before his son shot the gun.
But Wednesday, May said he opened the door and was getting in when Josh fired.
May said he was upset and confused during the detectives' questioning in the overnight hours after the shooting.
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