Walnut: Two dead in apparent murder-suicide

Crawford County authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and a woman in an apparent murder-suicide.

The sheriff’s department said it received a call at 12:47 p.m. Thursday from a woman who later was identified as Claudia S. Boaz. She reported she’d been shot in the chest by a man. A short time later the 911 dispatcher heard a gunshot over the phone.

When deputies arrived at the home, they found Bernard P. “Butch” Boaz, 55, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and the woman injured. She was taken to a hospital in Girard, where she was pronounced dead.

The bodies have been transported to Topeka for autopsies.

Columbus, Kan.: Defendant pleads guilty to killing elderly woman

One of two men charged in an elderly woman’s killing pleaded guilty Thursday to premeditated first-degree murder. Prosecutors said they would seek a “Hard 50” sentence.

If they are successful, James Edward VanHouten would not be eligible for parole for 50 years for the killing last Aug. 19 of Viola Margaret Barrett.

In exchange for the guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to drop the other seven charges which included aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and felony fleeing.

Thomas James LeGrand, 22, who is also charged in the case, allegedly admitted earlier this year to twisting Barrett’s neck until he heard it snap.

Sentencing for VanHouten was set for July 27. He will be listed as a witness for any trial against LeGrand, Derfelt said.