GUILTY KS - Karen Kahler, 44, two daughters & grandma murdered, Burlingame, 28 Nov 2009

[UdbCrzy2]

Kansas statute complicates case for insanity

The Kansas Legislature in 1995 abolished the traditional insanity defense. The current statute requires Kahler to show he lacked the mental state required in elements of the crimes he is charged with as a result of a mental disease or defect.

Evidence introduced during trial that could hurt Kahler’s defense in terms of the crime being intentional and premeditated has included:

Before the shootings, he withdrew a large amount of cash from the bank.

The defendant’s vehicle was loaded with a suitcase, trash bags filled with outdoor survival gear and canned goods, and a hiking backpack filled with supplies such as soap, lotion, hand towels, toilet paper, cotton balls, beef jerky, a compass and trail mix.

“I might go out in a blaze of glory,” Kris Kahler, 46, recalled his brother saying.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/24/kansas-statute-complicates-case-for-insanity/

 

[UdbCrzy2]

Kahler capable of premeditation despite depression, psychiatrist says

“Somebody who is severely depressed … (would) not (be) capable of doing things that he was doing at the time,” Logan said of Kahler.

Under direct examination by Assistant Attorney General Amy Hanley, Logan gave his interpretation of Kahler’s behavior the night of the shootings, saying that the roughly hour-long drive from his parents’ house in Meriden directly to Wight’s home in Burlingame, Kan., showed that “this wasn’t a random act.”

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/s...ers-depression-did-not-prevent-premeditation/

 

[UdbCrzy2]

Kahler found guilty in quadruple homicide

After less than two and a half hours of deliberation, an Osage County jury today returned guilty verdicts of capital murder, four counts of first-degree murder and a single count of aggravated burglary against former Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler. He was found guilty of shooting his wife, Karen Kahler, 44; their daughters, Emily, 18, and Lauren, 16; and Dorothy Wight, 89, Karen Kahler’s grandmother, at Wight’s home on Nov. 28, 2009.

Sentencing proceedings will begin Monday, with further witnesses being called. Prosecutors' possible witnesses Monday are psychiatrist William Logan and forensic pathologist Erik Mitchell, both of whom also testified during the trial. The defense plans to call three or four witnesses as well. The jury will then reconvene to determine Kahler’s sentence of death or life in prison without parole.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/25/kraig-kahler-found-guilty-quadruple-homicide/


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Kahler found guilty of capital murder, four counts of first-degree murder

In her closing statement, Assistant Attorney General Amy Hanley said the shootings clearly reflected Kahler’s organized, controlling and calculating personality. When Kahler couldn’t fix his marriage or family, she said, he decided to “eliminate the problem.”

“He murdered them all, one by one,” she continued. “He killed his family because they were no longer perfect.”

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/08/25/kahler-jury-deliberations-begin/

 

[believe09]

Thank you.

 

[ohiogirl]

That was quick! DP or LWOP?

 

[westsidefox64]

http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Jury_Recommends_Death_Penalty_For_Kahler.html??????

An Osage County jury Monday recommended the death penalty for convicted murderer James Kahler.

 

[ohiogirl]

Not very surprising. Thanks.

 

[UdbCrzy2]

Death seen as likely sentence in 4 Kansas killings

A sentencing hearing for Kahler, 48, is scheduled for Tuesday morning before District Judge Phillip Fromme, who must decide whether the jury's recommendation for a death sentence is supported by the evidence. But, as defense attorney Thomas Haney noted, no Kansas trial court judge has rejected a jury's recommendation in a capital case since the law was reinstated.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/09/3196697/death-seen-as-likely-sentence.html

 

[UdbCrzy2]

During hearing, Kahler makes remarks

At 10:18 a.m. Tuesday, Kahler was sentenced to death for murdering Karen Kahler; daughters Lauren Kahler, 16, and Emily Kahler, 18; and Karen Kahler's grandmother, Dorothy Wight, 89.

The four were killed during the Thanksgiving Day weekend in 2009 in Burlingame.

“The court at this time for the crime of capital murder will sentence the defendant to death under the law,” Chief Judge Phillip Fromme announced.

http://cjonline.com/news/2011-10-11/during-hearing-kahler-makes-remarks#.TpSUQpsr2so

 

[believe09]

We are now full circle on this monstrocity. As much as I am opposed to the DP, I have a very hard time coming up with a perp who deserves it more than this man.

I hope his son can find a way to move on.

 

[0101ABA]

Oral arguments in the appeal of a Kansas death row inmate who killed four members of his family will take place Dec. 16, according to a news release from the state Office of Judicial Administration.

Attorneys for the state and for James Kraig Kahler will each have an hour to argue their sides before the Kansas Supreme Court. Court convenes at 9 a.m. at the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka.

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/crime/article119462028.html

 

[Jewels53]

Death sentence upheld for Kansas man who killed his wife and daughters

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday upheld the death sentence of a man who claimed he was mentally ill when he killed four family members in Osage County.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article199297729.html

 

[JerseyGirl]

James Kahler alleges juror misconduct when he was found guilty of killing 4 family members

Authorities said James Kraig Kahler gunned down Karen Kahler, 44; Lauren Kahler, 16, and Emily Kahler, 18; and Dorothy Wight, 89.

www.cjonline.com