GUILTY KS - Karen Kahler, 44, two daughters & grandma murdered, Burlingame, 28 Nov 2009
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wfgodot
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more at Capital-Journal; jury getting back from lunch soon
Mitchell detailed each of the victim’s wounds.
PEmily Kahler, who was shot through the breast, likely would have survived if that had been her only wound, he said, but she sustained a fatal wound to her back that struck her spinal cord and likely paralyzed her immediately. She was the only victim who was dead when emergency responders arrived at the scene.
PEmily’s sister, Lauren Kahler, was shot in the back and buttocks. The shot to her back destroyed her liver, while the shot to her buttocks ripped apart her intestines. Mitchell concluded both wounds to be fatal. Particles on Lauren Kahler’s back indicate she was shot within two to four feet, Mitchell said.
PKaren Kahler was shot in the leg first, Mitchell theorized. The bullet entered and exited her body, shattering her femur on the way through. She also was shot in the back, striking her liver, stomach and diaphragm.
PWight was shot in the left arm, and as it exited the bullet blew a large chunk of her elbow out. The fragmented bullet continued into her abdomen — creating a large entry wound.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/20/kahler-jury-sees-graphic-images-of-victims/
PEmily Kahler, who was shot through the breast, likely would have survived if that had been her only wound, he said, but she sustained a fatal wound to her back that struck her spinal cord and likely paralyzed her immediately. She was the only victim who was dead when emergency responders arrived at the scene.
PEmily’s sister, Lauren Kahler, was shot in the back and buttocks. The shot to her back destroyed her liver, while the shot to her buttocks ripped apart her intestines. Mitchell concluded both wounds to be fatal. Particles on Lauren Kahler’s back indicate she was shot within two to four feet, Mitchell said.
PKaren Kahler was shot in the leg first, Mitchell theorized. The bullet entered and exited her body, shattering her femur on the way through. She also was shot in the back, striking her liver, stomach and diaphragm.
PWight was shot in the left arm, and as it exited the bullet blew a large chunk of her elbow out. The fragmented bullet continued into her abdomen — creating a large entry wound.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/20/kahler-jury-sees-graphic-images-of-victims/
Carr told the court that the bullet fragments he received from the home were in the .22-caliber family, which he said includes bullets used in .223-caliber guns. The gun associated with the shootings was never recovered, but an empty gun box for a .223-caliber MAK-90 made by Chinese company Norinco was found in the back of Kahler’s SUV.
Carr used a similar model he picked up from a forensics lab in Iowa to show the jury how the rifle functions. Jones asked Carr to fit the magazine found in the ditch into the gun, which Carr was able to do.
Carr also examined a plastic curtain with clear and orange flaps that hung in the stairwell of Wight’s home. Without having examined the curtain in his lab, Carr said a hole that went through two of the curtain’s flaps had distorted the surrounding plastic and had gray residue that was “very easy” to see. These marks, Carr said, were consistent with those found around bullet holes.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/s...aminers-show-kahler-was-home-night-shootings/
Carr used a similar model he picked up from a forensics lab in Iowa to show the jury how the rifle functions. Jones asked Carr to fit the magazine found in the ditch into the gun, which Carr was able to do.
Carr also examined a plastic curtain with clear and orange flaps that hung in the stairwell of Wight’s home. Without having examined the curtain in his lab, Carr said a hole that went through two of the curtain’s flaps had distorted the surrounding plastic and had gray residue that was “very easy” to see. These marks, Carr said, were consistent with those found around bullet holes.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/s...aminers-show-kahler-was-home-night-shootings/
Stories of abuse take larger role in Kahler trial testimony
Prosecutors rested their case this morning against former Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler after a full week of testimony focused mostly on the events surrounding his alleged slaying of family members.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/stories-of-abuse-take-larger-toll/
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Friends say Kahler family like any other before marriage dissolved
LYNDON, Kan. — Friends of the family and a former colleague of James Kraig Kahler’s testified Monday that the family was just like any other before the Kahlers' marriage began to crumble.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/s...say-kahler-family-was-just-any-other-divorce/
Prosecutors rested their case this morning against former Columbia Water and Light Director Kraig Kahler after a full week of testimony focused mostly on the events surrounding his alleged slaying of family members.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/stories-of-abuse-take-larger-toll/
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Friends say Kahler family like any other before marriage dissolved
LYNDON, Kan. — Friends of the family and a former colleague of James Kraig Kahler’s testified Monday that the family was just like any other before the Kahlers' marriage began to crumble.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/s...say-kahler-family-was-just-any-other-divorce/
Kahler defense focuses on mental struggles
The defense alleges that stress in Kraig Kahler’s life affected his sanity. The loss of his job with the city of Columbia and his crumbling marriage were two paramount factors that they contend led to him becoming “mentally overwhelmed” and “not able to control his behavior” in the months that led up to the Nov. 28, 2009, shootings at Wight’s home in Burlingame, Kan.
“Karen kept doing things that ate on Kraig. I know that ain’t no excuse,” Kraig Kahler’s father, Wayne Kahler, said to a Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent after the murders.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/kahler-defense-focuses-mental-struggles/
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I just hate when the defense tires to make the murderer a victim. It's like they blame the murder victim for the murder.
The defense alleges that stress in Kraig Kahler’s life affected his sanity. The loss of his job with the city of Columbia and his crumbling marriage were two paramount factors that they contend led to him becoming “mentally overwhelmed” and “not able to control his behavior” in the months that led up to the Nov. 28, 2009, shootings at Wight’s home in Burlingame, Kan.
“Karen kept doing things that ate on Kraig. I know that ain’t no excuse,” Kraig Kahler’s father, Wayne Kahler, said to a Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent after the murders.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/kahler-defense-focuses-mental-struggles/
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I just hate when the defense tires to make the murderer a victim. It's like they blame the murder victim for the murder.
Joe Friday
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Ex-aide: Kan. murder suspect had 'perfect' family
Attorneys for James Kraig Kahler called Christine Williams, of Weatherford, Texas, as a witness during the second week of his trial in Osage County District Court.
(Snipped)
Defense attorneys contend Kraig Kahler was severely depressed over his wife's lesbian affair and pursuit of a divorce, causing him to lose his job in Columbia, Mo., in 2009 and sending his mental health into a downward spiral. But in Texas, Williams testified, Kahler was professional and efficient and made his family his top priority.
(Snipped)
Williams told jurors that Kahler was active in the lives of all his children and the local community. Defense attorneys say that as his marriage broke down, his family moved him into his the basement of his parents' home just outside Topeka, Kan.
Before that, Williams testified, "He wanted to go home and take care of his parents and Karen's grandmother."
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Ex-aide-Kan-murder-suspect-had-perfect-family-2136781.php
Attorneys for James Kraig Kahler called Christine Williams, of Weatherford, Texas, as a witness during the second week of his trial in Osage County District Court.
(Snipped)
Defense attorneys contend Kraig Kahler was severely depressed over his wife's lesbian affair and pursuit of a divorce, causing him to lose his job in Columbia, Mo., in 2009 and sending his mental health into a downward spiral. But in Texas, Williams testified, Kahler was professional and efficient and made his family his top priority.
(Snipped)
Williams told jurors that Kahler was active in the lives of all his children and the local community. Defense attorneys say that as his marriage broke down, his family moved him into his the basement of his parents' home just outside Topeka, Kan.
Before that, Williams testified, "He wanted to go home and take care of his parents and Karen's grandmother."
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Ex-aide-Kan-murder-suspect-had-perfect-family-2136781.php
ohiogirl
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From above link.
"When a defendant's mental state is an issue in Kansas, jurors are not asked to consider whether they believe a defendant understood whether his alleged actions were criminal. Instead, they consider whether his mental state kept him from forming the intent to kill a specific victim or victims and from reflecting on actions he might take.
Richard Bonnie, a University of Virginia professor of law, medicine and psychiatry, said the Kansas standard is narrower than most other states' standards, so that even "delusional reasons" for criminal acts would not be enough to avoid a conviction. Bonnie said even under the insanity defenses allowed in most other states, rage or a loss of control isn't sufficient to avoid a conviction."
It doesn't sound like his insanity defense will work according to this. jmo
"When a defendant's mental state is an issue in Kansas, jurors are not asked to consider whether they believe a defendant understood whether his alleged actions were criminal. Instead, they consider whether his mental state kept him from forming the intent to kill a specific victim or victims and from reflecting on actions he might take.
Richard Bonnie, a University of Virginia professor of law, medicine and psychiatry, said the Kansas standard is narrower than most other states' standards, so that even "delusional reasons" for criminal acts would not be enough to avoid a conviction. Bonnie said even under the insanity defenses allowed in most other states, rage or a loss of control isn't sufficient to avoid a conviction."
It doesn't sound like his insanity defense will work according to this. jmo
Peterson said Kahler's depression over the divorce was so severe that — in his opinion — Kahler couldn't avoid doing what he is accused of doing.
"For that moment, he had completely lost control," Peterson testified. "It wasn't rational thinking."
Peterson said Kahler had a rigid personality and was unsophisticated in his understanding of other's emotions. During the divorce, Peterson testified, Kahler became "obsessively focused" on publicly humiliating his wife to get her to come back to him.
Peterson said Kahler didn't understand what he was doing "would only kill the relationship."
"It consumed him that very serious depression," Peterson testified. "He lost a great deal of his judgment."
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Psychiatrist-testifies-in-Kansas-murder-trial-2136781.php
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Kahler neighbors Don and Marina Coulter testified yesterday they also asked Reese to keep out of the Kahlers’ marriage.
Reese said last week she couldn’t do that because she knew Kraig Kahler was abusing his wife.
McAulay was the second person to acknowledge a statement Karen Kahler wrote in an ex parte petition in March 2009.
In the statement, she said one of her “chores” was to have sex with her husband each night at 8. McAulay recalled Karen describing herself as Kraig’s “trophy wife” and the family as “perfect” and “robotic.”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/kahler-defense-focuses-mental-struggles/
"For that moment, he had completely lost control," Peterson testified. "It wasn't rational thinking."
Peterson said Kahler had a rigid personality and was unsophisticated in his understanding of other's emotions. During the divorce, Peterson testified, Kahler became "obsessively focused" on publicly humiliating his wife to get her to come back to him.
Peterson said Kahler didn't understand what he was doing "would only kill the relationship."
"It consumed him that very serious depression," Peterson testified. "He lost a great deal of his judgment."
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Psychiatrist-testifies-in-Kansas-murder-trial-2136781.php
___________________________
Kahler neighbors Don and Marina Coulter testified yesterday they also asked Reese to keep out of the Kahlers’ marriage.
Reese said last week she couldn’t do that because she knew Kraig Kahler was abusing his wife.
McAulay was the second person to acknowledge a statement Karen Kahler wrote in an ex parte petition in March 2009.
In the statement, she said one of her “chores” was to have sex with her husband each night at 8. McAulay recalled Karen describing herself as Kraig’s “trophy wife” and the family as “perfect” and “robotic.”
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/22/kahler-defense-focuses-mental-struggles/
believe09
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This poor woman. Can you imagine what the last moments of her life were like? Knowing that she couldnt save her babies, her grandmother, herself from the man she knew was excersising the ultimate form of control over her?
I posted this before, but this man wants this trial so he can continue to publicly humiliate her and to kill her all over again. He is savoring this-no doubt about it. Guilty or Not guilty is immaterial-he gets to live this all over again and have his attorney present his side...to try and justify the slaughter.
I posted this before, but this man wants this trial so he can continue to publicly humiliate her and to kill her all over again. He is savoring this-no doubt about it. Guilty or Not guilty is immaterial-he gets to live this all over again and have his attorney present his side...to try and justify the slaughter.
believe09
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Yes his defense is that he didnt understand it wasnt socially acceptable to publically and privately humiliate his wife in order to make her come back to him.
He hunted her and the girls. Grandma was the bonus-it makes me want to scream. I have known too many people in a similar set of circumstances, but clearly they were far more lucky in their outcome.
eta: From your link Udb
"Peterson said Kahler had a rigid personality and was unsophisticated in his understanding of other's emotions. During the divorce, Peterson testified, Kahler became "obsessively focused" on publicly humiliating his wife to get her to come back to him.
Peterson said Kahler didn't understand what he was doing "would only kill the relationship."
Honestly, she was going to come back on his terms-I am certain he went wild when he lost control of her, especially around 8pm every night. (sorry)
ohiogirl
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I believe he should be found guilty. That said, what happens to someone who has been raised to believe that the male is the be all and end all in the eyes of the family, and anyone who questions that authority is doomed? They don't have a choice but to destroy that usurper.
This is a huge problem in our society.
Don't get me wrong, he is definitely guilty, and needs to be kept away from society,
but society needs to find a way to instill a value of family above individual.
Situations like these scream for society to realize that the family is hugely more important than any one individually.
When will society catch up? When males stop thinking that their maleness is more important than anything else.
I have serious doubts that this will ever happen.
He was brought up wrong, he is reaping the consequences, he is doomed. jmo
This is a huge problem in our society.
Don't get me wrong, he is definitely guilty, and needs to be kept away from society,
but society needs to find a way to instill a value of family above individual.
Situations like these scream for society to realize that the family is hugely more important than any one individually.
When will society catch up? When males stop thinking that their maleness is more important than anything else.
I have serious doubts that this will ever happen.
He was brought up wrong, he is reaping the consequences, he is doomed. jmo
Kahler silent as testimony concludes
LYNDON — After eight days of testimony, the two sides in the capital murder case of James Kraig Kahler concluded the presentation of evidence Wednesday morning without the defendant testifying.
Closing arguments in the Osage County District Court were scheduled for Thursday morning.
http://cjonline.com/news/2011-08-24/kahler-silent-testimony-concludes
______________________________
Kahler prosecutors work to prove intent
The 15 jurors will report at 8 a.m. Thursday for jury instructions and closing arguments.
Premeditation and intent are required to convict Kraig Kahler of capital murder and first-degree murder.
Factors cited included:
Cash was deducted out of his bank account.
He drove an hour’s distance from his parents’ home to Wight’s home.
He knew family members were in the home.
His vehicle was packed with food, luggage and backpacking equipment as if going on a trip.
A jacket found outside Wight’s home near a shed suggests he watched his family in the home.
The shooting took place over a long period of time. He had to pursue his victims in the home.
No missed shots suggest the shots were not random. Each bullet hit its intended target.
The murder weapon, which was never found, shows he was aware he did something wrong.
He was aware the police were looking for him and the reason why they were looking for him.
If in such a deranged state, he would have shot at neighbors who shined a flashlight on him.
He didn’t park at the house, nor did he knock on the door.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/24/kahler-prosecutors-work-prove-premeditation/
LYNDON — After eight days of testimony, the two sides in the capital murder case of James Kraig Kahler concluded the presentation of evidence Wednesday morning without the defendant testifying.
Closing arguments in the Osage County District Court were scheduled for Thursday morning.
http://cjonline.com/news/2011-08-24/kahler-silent-testimony-concludes
______________________________
Kahler prosecutors work to prove intent
The 15 jurors will report at 8 a.m. Thursday for jury instructions and closing arguments.
Premeditation and intent are required to convict Kraig Kahler of capital murder and first-degree murder.
Factors cited included:
Cash was deducted out of his bank account.
He drove an hour’s distance from his parents’ home to Wight’s home.
He knew family members were in the home.
His vehicle was packed with food, luggage and backpacking equipment as if going on a trip.
A jacket found outside Wight’s home near a shed suggests he watched his family in the home.
The shooting took place over a long period of time. He had to pursue his victims in the home.
No missed shots suggest the shots were not random. Each bullet hit its intended target.
The murder weapon, which was never found, shows he was aware he did something wrong.
He was aware the police were looking for him and the reason why they were looking for him.
If in such a deranged state, he would have shot at neighbors who shined a flashlight on him.
He didn’t park at the house, nor did he knock on the door.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/aug/24/kahler-prosecutors-work-prove-premeditation/
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