Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed a motion yesterday to seek a “Hard 50” prison sentence for 25-year-old William Shank.
Shank is charged for the Feb. 9 death of 27-year-old Teri Morris in Colby. Authorities said in initial reports that the two were in a custody fight over their then 8-month-old daughter. Shank reportedly stabbed Morris before setting her Colby home on fire. He was arrested in the Logan area with the baby after contacted police.
Shank is being charged with first-degree murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated burglary, in which he pleaded not guilty.
The jury trial is scheduled to start March 24, 2014.
—This story was written and compiled by Beau Tiongson. Additional sources linked in text. Individuals arrested or accused of crimes are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
