Devawn Mitchell’s appeal challenging his competency to stand trial — and other facets of Lyon County proceedings in the traffic death of Steve Henry — has been denied.
The Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed both Mitchell’s murder conviction and his nearly 50-year sentence imposed after the crash that took Henry’s life near Sixth and Chestnut in March 2021. The Supreme Court says Mitchell “failed to carry his burden to overcome the presumption of competence.” The high court also says District Court did not abuse its powers by not voluntarily ordering a psychological evaluation before sentencing.
Henry’s death followed two law enforcement pursuits of Mitchell. Officers had called off the second pursuit shortly before the fatal crash, but Mitchell was still driving at a high rate of speed when his car hit Henry’s truck.
