Trial is increasingly likely next month for a man accused of attempted murder after an alleged incident in Emporia over two years ago.
A motions hearing took place this week in Lyon County District Court as the criminal case against Lance Paige Sutton moves forward. Judge Jeff Larson approved a prosecution motion to endorse two additional witnesses, and he took a state motion to admit additional evidence under advisement.
Wednesday’s hearing leads to a status hearing Feb. 1 and trial starting perhaps as soon as Feb. 6, depending on the results of the status hearing. Trial could also start Feb. 13 or Feb. 27, based on the current schedule.
Sutton is accused of attempted second-degree murder, with an alternate count of aggravated battery. Sutton also faces single counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery and criminal discharge of a firearm. Sutton is accused of trying to kill Michael A Wilson either Oct. 27 or Oct. 28, 2020. He’s also accused of conspiring with Marcos Diaz, an unnamed juvenile and a currently unidentified suspect for the purpose of robbing Wilson of marijuana and money.
Prosecutors believe this case is connected to a non-lethal shooting incident near Linn and Whildin and a home-invasion robbery at 9 South Rural on Oct. 28, 2020. Sutton is already serving over 20 years in prison for those incidents, with Kenneth Hopkins receiving 29 months and Diaz still in the court process.
