Amber Orr Tuesday afternoon became the first of four defendants to resolve court cases connected to the December 2021 murder of Matthew Kelly in rural Ark City.
The 25-year-old Orr pleaded no contest to a single felony count of interfering with law enforcement, by tampering with evidence. Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. April 21 in the Ark City courtroom of Judge Christopher Smith.
Orr’s in-person appearance was conducted by Smith in Winfield. She was in court with her attorney, David Maslen. She pleaded guilty to the original charge brought against her and will avoid trial.
Deputy Cowley County Attorney Christian Fazel appeared on behalf of the state.
Orr’s bond had been set at $100,000 since her arrest in December and she remained in the Cowley County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Friday. As a result of the plea agreement, her bond was reduced to $1,000 and she is likely to be released from custody, on bond, soon.
She informed Judge Smith that she planned to live in Udall and work at a family business in Rose Hill. The court will require Orr to return to court as necessary for sentencing and if her testimony is needed as prosecution proceeds in other cases related to Kelly’s death.
Her testimony is likely to be used by the state against other defendants connected to Kelly’s death.
A sentence for the evidence tampering charge can range from 7 to 23 months and 12 months post-release supervision.
In open court Tuesday, Orr admitted she was contacted following Kelly’s death and asked to help defendants in the case. She met one of the defendants near Geuda Springs and was told he needed help disposing of Kelly’s body.
Orr acknowledged she helped to move Kelly’s body into a pickup truck and rode along to dispose of it. She said she understood the charge against and replied “it’s accurate” following the reading of the state’s narrative regarding her role in moving Kelly’s body.
Just after midnight on Dec. 14, 2021, deputies were sent to a residence in 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 shooting had taken place. Sheriff’s Deputies processed the scene.
Three men, Kelly, 34, Dylan Weaver, 30, and Justin Pierce, 25, had been at the residence earlier, investigators learned. The home was that of 38-year-old Lisa Wise, who is Kelly’s sister. Kelly had stayed there for a time and the siblings had had a recent disagreement and frequent shouting matches.
Kelly, Weaver and Pierce 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.
Later that day, a vehicle was located in the 10000 block of 11th Road, near the Oxford sand pits, 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.
Pierce and Weaver are facing charges of first degree murder, aggravated battery, conspiracy, criminal use of a weapon and interference with law enforcement. They each have a bond set at $1 million.
Wise is charged with conspiracy and aggravated battery. Her bond is set at $250,000 and she remains in jail.
The three remaining defendants have preliminary hearings scheduled for Friday in Winfield. Judge Smith will preside.
(Amber Orr, Courtesy Cowley County Sheriff)