Oskaloosa ? Three people convicted last month in the slaying nearly three years ago of a Jefferson County man are headed to prison.

Despite last-minute efforts to fire his attorney and represent himself to get a new trial, Noah J. Gleason, 43, rural Lawrence, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for first-degree murder.

During a trial last month, a jury decided Gleason was the mastermind behind an Oct. 14, 1999, attempt to rob Clarence Rinke, 55, in his home near 21st and Republic streets in Jefferson County. Rinke died from a shotgun blast during the botched robbery.

Gleason will not be eligible for parole until he has served 20 years.

“The defendant planned, he supplied and he participated in the murder,” Assistant Jefferson County Atty. Vic Braden said. “Bad things happen when you do that.”

Jefferson County Judge Gary Nafziger also sentenced two of Gleason’s accomplices.

Collin E. Cady, 33, McLouth, was sentenced to a total of 166 months, or almost 14 years, after pleading guilty last month to second-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated burglary.

Cady was carrying a sawed-off shotgun that discharged during a struggle with Rinke. The blast hit Rinke in the chest, killing him.

Gleason could be charged with murder under Kansas law because he was involved in the commission of a felony that resulted in someone’s death.

Charolette M. Bennett, 29, Lawrence, will serve two years in prison for aiding and abetting aggravated burglary. She also pleaded guilty last month.

Both Cady and Bennett testified against Gleason, saying he had planned to rob Rinke of cash and marijuana and recruited them to help.

They said Rinke had been lured by Bennett to an electronic gate at the entrance to his property nearly a quarter of a mile from his house. Bennett told Rinke over an intercom that she was lost and her car was stuck. Rinke left the house to help, but returned because Bennett had left.

After re-entering his house, Rinke found Gleason and Cady inside. They fled after Rinke was shot.

Rinke lived long enough to call 911, but officers found him lying dead in his kitchen when they arrived.

Nafziger denied motions filed by Gleason’s attorney, John Kurth, for a new trial or acquittal of the convictions.

Nafziger also denied motions filed by Gleason, who said he wanted Kurth removed as his attorney because of inadequate representation. Gleason wanted to represent himself.

Nafziger had appointed another attorney, Michael Ireland, to represent Gleason on the inadequate representation motion. During Thursday’s hearing Ireland questioned Kurth on the witness stand about that representation.

Kurth said he did everything he could to defend Gleason.

Gleason would not comment when given the chance by Nafziger to speak before sentencing was issued. Kurth, however, said Gleason maintained his innocence.

“Quite frankly, he still insists he wasn’t involved in this matter,” Kurth said.

During his sentencing, Cady turned and faced Rinke’s relatives in the courtroom and apologized. He blamed pressure from Gleason and drinking problems for leading him to commit the crimes.

Cady was sentenced to 123 months for second-degree murder and 43 months for aggravated battery. Those sentences will be served consecutively. A 34-month sentence for aggravated burglary will be served concurrently with the other sentences.

Sheriff’s officers and Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents worked on the case for more than two years before arresting the three suspects in April. After the sentencing, Braden commended officers’ efforts.

The case was cracked after Cady confessed his involvement during an interview with investigators, Braden said. Cady then implicated Bennett and Gleason.

“I felt confident we could solve the case, but I also said it could be 10 minutes from now or it could be 10 years from now,” Jefferson County Sheriff Roy Dunnaway said.