Authorities in Kansas introduced a person has been sentenced in reference to the chilly case homicide of a girl who was discovered useless in January 1980, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
In keeping with Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, the sheriff’s workplace obtained new proof within the case in October 2022 they usually had been in a position to acquire an arrest warrant for Steven L. Hanks, 70, of Burden, Kansas, KSN reported.
“At 42 years and 10 months (in October 2022), we consider that is the oldest murder arrest within the state of Kansas,” Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir stated, noting there at the moment are at present no uncleared homicide circumstances within the county.
On Jan. 24, 1980, the physique of Mary Robin Walter, a nursing pupil and married mom of 1 daughter, was present in her trailer in Nice Bend. She was shot a number of instances.
Sheriff Bellendir stated investigators on the time developed Hanks as an individual of curiosity within the Walter’s homicide however the case went chilly till it was reopened final spring.
“After taking a contemporary have a look at the case, it turned evident that a few of the info had been initially missed, and a few had been added at a later date,” Bellendir stated, including, “This was unknown to the unique investigators.”
In keeping with authorities, Hanks lived close to Walters when she was killed.
Citing courtroom paperwork, KSN reported Hanks has a felony historical past that features allegations he broke right into a coworker’s dwelling round a 12 months after Walter’s slaying and was “kissing and fondling her.”
He once more broke into the lady’s dwelling 4 months later and was convicted of felony trespass, battery, and tried rape, amongst different expenses.
Hanks was booked into the Barton County jail on a second-degree homicide cost and was being held in lieu of $500,000 bond.
On Aug. 8, 2024, a plea settlement was reached and sentencing was scheduled, authorities stated.
On Sept. 12, 2024, Hanks was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in jail. Underneath the 1980 Kansas statutes, the agreed sentenced was between 5 and 25 years, however a choose imposed the sentence of 10 to 25 years.
Hanks stays in custody and shall be transferred to the Kansas Division of Corrections.