Friday, February 10, 2012

The Kansas Supreme court has upheld the conviction of a man serving time in a murder for hire plot.

Theodore Burnett was sentenced to life in prison nearly four years ago for Chelsea Brooks’ murder. The 14-year-old was nine months pregnant when she died. Her body was found in a rural Butler County field in June of 2006.

Prosecutors said Elgin Robinson hired Burnett and another man, Everett Gentry, to kidnap and kill Brooks. Robinson was the father to Brooks’ unborn child. Gentry pleaded guilty to the crime in 2008, and testified Burnett strangled Brooks to death. Brooks was convicted of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping for his role in the crime in 2008.

Burnett appealed his conviction, claiming the prosecutor committed reversible misconduct during closing arguments. His attorneys also said the court improperly admitted autopsy photographs, and gave improper jury instruction. Burnett said his sentence was unconstitutional.

The Kansas Supreme court denied his appeal.

Both Gentry and Robinson are serving life in prison. Gentry will be eligible for parole in 25 years.