Two men facing trial for murder in the death of an Ark City’s Matthew Kelly, on Dec. 14, made remote appearances in Cowley County Dist. Court Friday morning.
During the proceedings, Judge Chris Smith set in-person preliminary hearings for Justin Pierce, 25, and Dylan Weaver, 30, for 9 a.m. Feb. 25. Each remains in the Cowley County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
The hearings will occur in Winfield, which has a larger courtroom. Judge Smith’s courtroom is in Ark City. A preliminary hearing allows defendants and their counsel to hear at a least a portion of the state’s evidence in the case.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Smith will determine if evidence is sufficient to bound each defendant over for trial.
Pierce is represented by Ottawa-based attorney Forrest Lowry, who has previously handled cases in Cowley County.
This morning, Judge Smith appointed Salina attorney Julie Effenbeck to represent Weaver. Weaver said he had been attempting to acquire his own legal counsel, but had been unsuccessful.
Smith said he has had Effenbeck handle local cases previously.
A third defendant, Lisa Wise, 37, is also set for preliminary hearing on the same day and time. Her attorney is Michael Brown, of Mulvane.
Pierce and Weaver are facing charges of first degree murder, aggravated battery, conspiracy, criminal use of a weapon and interference with law enforcement.
Wise is charged with conspiracy and aggravated battery. Her bond is set at $250,000 and she remains in jail.
A fourth suspect, Amber Orr, 25, is currently in jail on a charge of obstruction. Her bond is set at $100,000. Her next appearance is set for next week.
Just after midnight on Dec. 14, 2021, deputies were sent to the 3000 block of 302nd Road. A reporting party discovered a large amount of suspected blood located in the front yard and had information that a possible shooting had taken place. Sheriff’s Deputies processed the scene.
Three males, Kelly, 34, Weaver and Pierce had been at the residence earlier, investigators learned. The home was the residence of Wise, who is Kelly’s sister. Kelly had stayed there for a time and the siblings had had a recent disagreement.
The three men are alleged to have been in a confrontation that led to Kelly being shot and killed.
During the investigation a 2018, silver F-250, belonging to Weaver was located at an address in Winfield.
Possible visual evidence was noted on the vehicle, and it was seized as evidence.
A vehicle was then located in the 10000 block of 11th Road in western Cowley County. In that vehicle were Pierce and Orr. Deputies observed what looked like blood in the back of the truck and the vehicle was seized. A search warrant was obtained, and the deceased body of Kelly was recovered.
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