GREAT BEND — The Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday appealing a murder conviction in a Great Bend teenager’s death.
A Barton County jury convicted Adam Longoria in 2012 for the murder of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt. Longoria, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole, is appealing that ruling.
Debolt, formerly of Hays, went missing in August 2010. Her badly burned body was found days later at an asphalt plant near Great Bend. During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that after DeBolt disappeared, Longoria asked people to make up alibis for him. His semen was also found, mixed with DeBolt’s DNA, on a vehicle floorboard.
Longoria was not in court yesterday, but Capital Appeals and Conflicts Defender Reid Nelson represented him. Seven Supreme Court Justices, five men and two women, have the power to change Longoria’s punishment. In that Appellate Court, justices must look at the case in the light most favorable to the prosecution.
Longoria appealed numerous issues from the trial. One argument stated that jurors were not given the option of a lesser murder charge, reckless second-degree murder.
Another part of the appeal included a challenge to the sexual assault conviction. Nelson told the Justices there was insufficient evidence of criminal sodomy or attempted rape.
The Supreme Court Justices have not said when they will make a decision on the appeals.