Arraignment is the next step for Phillip Lieurance, the Emporia man accused of killing two Emporia women in Colorado nearly two years ago.
As part of hearing this week, Lieurance was set for another court appearance Aug. 5 in Kiowa County District Court.
Lieurance faces single counts of first-degree murder and second-degree murder, reflecting the alleged homicides of Amy Ford and Linda Estrada, respectively. He also faces two counts of tampering with a body as part of the alleged killings Sept. 10, 2023.
Prosecutors had presented an agreement in March giving Lieurance a chance to plead guilty to two counts of first-degree murder with sentences of eight to 25 years per count. Lieurance did not accept the agreement this week but negotiations continue. If Lieurance accepts terms, he will serve his sentence after wrapping up a 34-month sentence in Kansas prison for three counts of aggravated battery connected to his arrest on the Kansas Turnpike near Emporia following the murders. If he does not accept the plea agreement at the arraignment, potential trial dates may well be set.
