TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say one of the three victims of a deadly Topeka apartment fire intentionally set the blaze.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Janelle Owens ignited the fire in a bed in the living room of her second-floor apartment. The fire burned upward, killing 59-year-old Rhonda Gill and her daughter, 41-year-old Letitia Gill. Topeka Fire Marshal Mike Martin said Tuesday that the Gills had sought shelter Monday in a closet in a rear bedroom.

A man in the unit with Owns was able to get outside and was taken to a hospital. His condition wasn’t immediately known. Several other people were able to make it out of the building safely.

Authorities estimate damage to the 12-unit, three-story building at $400,000. Damage to the building’s contents is estimated at $100,000.

 

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 88,000 cars and SUVs in North America because the engines can stall without warning due to a fuel pump problem.

The recall covers certain Ford Taurus and Police Interceptor sedans, Ford Flex wagons, Lincoln MKS sedans and Lincoln MKT SUVs from the 2013 through 2015 model years. All have 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engines.

Ford says the fuel pump control modules can fail, and the engines may not start, or they could stall, leaving drivers without the ability to restart them. The company says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries from the problem.

Dealers will replace the control module at no cost to owners.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison for fatally shooting a co-worker.

The Wichita Eagle reports that 22-year-old Jacob Pulliam was sentenced Tuesday in Sedgwick County for killing 19-year-old Mekko Stumblingbear in April. Pulliam had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter last month. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to not file charges against him in an unrelated methamphetamine possession and drug distribution case from 2015.

Pulliam had requested probation, saying the shooting was an accident. He says he had pointed a gun at Stumblingbear and fired, not knowing it was loaded while some men played with Airsoft rifles before work. Initially he told police Stumblingbear shot himself.

But District Judge Ben Burgess characterized the shooting as a “reckless beyond reckless act.”

ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man faces sentencing for his role in a wannabe Islamic State jihadist’s foiled plan to detonate a bomb at the Fort Riley military post to kill and maim as many U.S. service members as possible.

Alexander Blair has told the judge he made a big mistake and blames a genetic disorder for allowing others to take advantage of him.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree will weigh such factors Wednesday as he calculates how much prison time, if any, the 29-year-old Blair should serve.

Blair pleaded guilty in May to a conspiracy count that carries up to five years’ imprisonment. He admitted loaning John T. Booker $100, knowing it would be used to pay for storage of a bomb Booker planned to detonate in April 2015 at Fort Riley.

HUTCHINSON- Tuesday afternoon testimony centered on when police found Sam Vanochen walking down the street after the fire.

He was eventually transported to the hospital because of high blood pressure checked by EMS at the scene of the fire.

At the hospital officials began to suspect he may have been involved in setting the fire because his new clothes had the smell of gasoline.

Vanochen’s father is expected to testify on Wednesday

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HUTCHINSON – Opening statements were presented on Tuesday in the trial for a Kansas teen accused of setting the fire that killed his mother and sister.

Samuel Vonachen is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson after allegedly setting a fire to his family’s home leaving his mother and sister trapped inside.

He was 14 at the time of the fatal fire in September 2013.

Prior to opening statements, the defense asked that the TV Camera in the courtroom for local TV stations be removed.

That was denied with Judge Trish Rose choosing to follow Supreme Court rules for media coverage of trials like this one.

The state started their case by describing the teen going to the garage of the family home, grabbing a gas can and pouring in a U shape around the staircase making it difficult if not impossible for anyone to escape.

He then allegedly lit a napkin and threw it on the gas igniting it.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell noted that Vanochen had taken his favorite items outside prior to starting the fire including a guitar, blanket and his cell phone.

Maxwell called him a psychopath with no emotion or compassion for others.

The defense is arguing mental disease and defect telling of the teen being caught talking to himself for two hours during the time he was in Reno County Youth Services.

The first witness was 911 Director Michelle Abbott who testified over a 911 call from the defendant notifying authorities of the fire.

Vanochen sounded out of breath and in a panic. The state says it was an act and that he used a different name when making the call.

The trial is expected to continue into next week.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A father is seeking custody of seven children whose mother took them to sing for the Oregon wildlife refuge occupiers and is accused of abusing them.

The Kansas City Star reports that Tim Sharp said after a Monday court hearing in Shawnee County that he’s hopeful that the children will soon be living with him in Colorado.

Their mother, Odalis Sharp, has described the abuse allegations as trumped up. She has 10 children, but several are over 18.

One of the older children, 19-year-old daughter Victoria Sharp, is supporting her father’s custody efforts. She was riding with Nevada rancher LaVoy Finicum and three of the other militants when Finicum was shot and killed by Oregon state police.

She says she wants her siblings to “start a happy life again.”

Police in Topeka located Kathy Marie Jackson on Tuesday. She is safe. Police continue to investigate her disappearance.  No additional details were released.

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GEARY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Geary County are asking for help to locate a missing Junction City woman.

Kathy Marie Jackson, 59, was last herd from by a family member on the afternoon of August 19, 2016, according to a media release.

Jackson was on her way to her home but never arrived, according to the police.

Family members are concerned about Jackson’s welfare because she is disabled.

If you know the location of Kathy Marie Jackson or have recently seen her please contact the Junction City Police Department at 785-762-5912. You can also call the Junction City/Geary County Crime Stoppers TIP Line at 785-762-TIPS (8477).

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The trial is underway for a man charged with killing a rapper from suburban Olathe.

The Kansas City Star reports that 33-year-old Dale “Poppa Willo” Willis is on trial this week in Johnson County District Court. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the September shooting death of Jurl Carter outside a bar in northern Overland Park. Carter performed as Yunglyfe Carter or Bo Boogy.

Witnesses testified at an earlier hearing that they saw Willis punch Carter in the face after Carter nearly hit someone while pulling into a parking space. Prosecutors said that Willis’ brother, James Willis, then shot Carter as he attempted to drive away.

James Willis also is charged with first-degree murder and will be tried separately.

The Kansas City Star reports that 33-year-old Dale “Poppa Willo” Willis is on trial this week in Johnson County District Court. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the September shooting death of Jurl Carter outside a bar in northern Overland Park. Carter performed as Yunglyfe Carter or Bo Boogy.

Witnesses testified at an earlier hearing that they saw Willis punch Carter in the face after Carter nearly hit someone while pulling into a parking space. Prosecutors said that Willis’ brother, James Willis, then shot Carter as he attempted to drive away.

James Willis also is charged with first-degree murder and will be tried separately.