A Lawrence homicide suspect pleaded not guilty Friday to burglary and theft charges in Topeka, where she’s expected to stay until that case is resolved.

Angelica Marie Kulp

Angelica M. Kulp is being charged in Douglas County with first-degree murder in the killing of Christine Kaplan, whose body was found July 26 at her home in the 1100 block of New York Street.

On July 29, Shawnee County court documents allege, Kulp entered a Topeka man’s house, took money from his change jar and was arrested after police found her hiding in the backyard. A judge set Kulp’s next hearing in the case for Sept. 25.

Burglary victim Kenneth Johnson told the court that Kulp had been his roommate about two years ago.

He said Kulp had come by looking for a place to stay July 26 but that he told her no. When Kulp broke into his house July 29, Johnson said, she also ate some of his food, used his shower and took some of his clothes.

Kulp’s attorney, public defender Jennifer Roth, said she and deputy defender Cindy Sewell are representing Kulp in both the Shawnee County burglary and Douglas County homicide cases.

“Our involvement in Angelica’s life comes out of a tragic situation,” Roth said in a written statement. “We would just ask everyone to remember that Angelica is presumed innocent.”