Accused slayer waives hearing

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly

By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

District Court Judge Lee Fowler entered a not guilty plea this morning for a Topeka man on charges connected to the December shooting death of 18-year-old Beau Arndt of Americus.

Theron Thomas Kent, 57, is charged with a single felony count of involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors — attempted unlawful methods of taking wildlife, criminal hunting and criminal discharge of a firearm.

The court was prepared to hear evidence in a preliminary hearing this morning. During a preliminary hearing, which is required with felony charges, the state must present enough evidence to convince the judge that the charged crime occurred and there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. Only after a preliminary hearing does a defendant have to enter a plea.

But Kent chose to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and the court proceeded straight to arraignment. His trial, expected to last five days, is set to begin June 23.

In an affidavit filed with the case, Kent told investigators that he was hunting coyotes with his brother, David Kent, and an employee, Nick Wise. Theron Kent, who is known as Tommy, owns Kent Fence Co. in Topeka. The three had stayed at a cabin at Roads 240 and D that is owned by another Topeka man.

According to the affidavit, all three men told investigators that after leaving the cabin on Saturday morning, Dec. 15, they stopped with a flat tire. They then drove about four miles when Tommy Kent stopped and shot. Both Tommy and David Kent said Tommy got out of the pickup truck and fired a single shot at a coyote. Wise, who was sitting in the middle of the truck’s seat, said Tommy Kent, who was in the driver’s seat, rolled down the window and fired near geese in a field.