UPDATE: 3 p.m. – David Webster Monday entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of Winfield’s Diane Chambers this spring. His jury trial is set for Nov. 10.
Webster heard the charge against him read in open court by Judge Nick St. Peter and then entered his plea. His attorney, Lee Velasquez of Arkansas City, advised the court that his client would be seeking a change of venue.
Defendants often request to move trials to another county when there is concern that potential jurors may have prior knowledge and prejudices in regard to the case. The requests are rarely granted.
Webster will be back in court at 10 a.m., Oct. 9 so that the judge can rule on the venue change request and evidentiary motions. Family of Chambers have indicated that attorneys for both sides have discussed a plea deal in the case.
Cowley County attorney Chris Smith does not comment on such negotiations. Smith has said that the case is less about the guilt or innocence of Webster and more about whether Chambers’ death was premeditated and intentional.
Webster is accused of killing Chambers at her home in Winfield and dumping her body off a bridge east of Winfield on or around March 30.
