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A local man was bound over for trial Tuesday on a charge of unintentional second-degree murder in the March death of Ark City’s TiOnna Bruno.
After a preliminary hearing that lasted about four hours, Cowley County Dist. Court Judge Nick St. Peter found sufficient evidence for Kyndal Orange to stand trial on the murder count. He did, however, also instruct prosecutors to amend charging documents to include an alternative count of involuntary manslaughter in commission of a DUI.
Orange was arraigned shortly after being bound over and he entered pleas of not guilty to all charges. A pretrial conference is set for June 14.
He is accused of recklessly causing a vehicle crash March 5 on U.S. 77 south of Winfield. Bruno died at the scene of the incident.
Kansas Highway Patrol Investigators and law enforcement personnel testified they had determined the crash did not meet criteria for being consider an accident.
During the preliminary hearing, a long-time friend of Bruno’s told the court she was on the phone with Bruno in the minutes leading up to the crash. Bruno and Orange were said to be in an argument because Orange was talking with other women at Galway’s Bar in Winfield during a night out on March 4.
The couple had been drinking and Bruno called Webb to discuss the issue with the other women.
The friend, Charlotte “Charlie” Webb, said a voice on the phone she recognized as Orange’s could be heard to tell Bruno that she should shut up or “I’m going to wreck this motherfucker.”
Bruno, according to Webb’s testimony, said to Orange “no, Kyndal, don’t.”
Webb said it was clear the couple were driving down the highway. She heard the sound of a vehicle hitting rumble strips and then Bruno screaming.
Shortly thereafter, Webb rushed to the area where the couple had been driving and encountered officers who turned her away.
Sheriff’s Det. Jeff Moore later testified that Orange, during an interview in March, acknowledged making the threat. In addition to the threatening language, Orange is accused of making a hard right turn with the steering wheel that led Bruno’s SUV to roll over two-and-a-half times.
KHP findings indicate the vehicle was traveling southbound at a speed of 82 miles per hour.
Orange’s attorney, Jennifer Passiglia, spent considerable time questioning the manner in which Orange was questioned. The defense also disputes the finding that Orange was driving so fast.
Orange is also charged with DUI and not having a driver’s license.
Check back with NewsCow for a full description of testimony provided by each witness.