Sentencing has been delayed for three people who were found guilty for their various roles in the December shooting death of Matt Kelly at an Ark City farmhouse.
37-year-old Lisa Wise, Kelly’s sister, and 25-year-old Amber Orr, are free on bond. They have status hearings scheduled for June 3 in Cowley County Dist. Court.
In February, Wise pleaded no contest to aggravated battery, and was convicted of arranging for her brother to be beaten up. Orr pleaded no contest for assisting in helping to dispose of Kelly’s body.
They had been scheduled to be sentenced today (Thursday) along with Dylan Weaver, 31, who pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. Weaver remains in the Cowley County Jail.
His next court appearance is set for June 7.
No official reason for the delay in sentencing was given, however, it appears Judge Christopher Smith wants to be sure certain requirements of the plea agreements are met. A main requirement of the three is that they testify for the state against a fourth defendant, 25-year-old Justin Pierce, if necessary.
He is facing a charge of first-degree murder and believed to be the person to fire the fatal shot that took Kelly’s life. Weaver has admitted to taking part in beating Kelly and testified at a preliminary hearing that Pierce shot and stabbed Kelly multiple times.
A status hearing for Pierce is also scheduled in June.