Formal charges have been filed in Emporia’s latest murder, although the identity of the victim has been corrected.
On Tuesday, Lyon County Attorney Amy Aranda charged 36-year-old Alexei Perez-Ricardo of Emporia with single counts of second-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated robbery. Perez-Ricardo will have his first official appearance in Lyon County District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Emporia Police had arrested Perez-Ricardo on suspicion of first-degree murder, assault and a weapons count Sunday evening after a report of an unconscious person to Lyon County Emergency Communications led to the discovery of a man found dead inside a residence in the 200 block of West 10th. Originally, the man was identified as 62-year-old Raul Rosado Reyes. Officers now say the victim was 57-year-old Adolfo Callejo Viniegra, who had been living in Emporia under the Reyes alias since the early 2000s.
Once Viniegra was found, the Police Department’s Investigation Division took over the lead on the inquiry, developing Perez-Ricardo as the primary suspect. He was found a short time after the initial call and later arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, assault and a weapons violation. The investigation points to a confrontation Saturday night and Perez-Ricardo leaving the scene after the incident, originally on foot but later using a bicycle.
The difference between first-degree and second-degree murder in Kansas largely involves intent and/or planning ahead of an alleged crime. First-degree murder needs to be planned and intentional, while second-degree murder charges can be filed if prosecutors believe the crime was intentional but not planned ahead of time or there were extremely reckless activity, indicating a disregard for human life even if the result was not intended.
The investigation continues into this case. Officers received information from witnesses, home surveillance videos and cell phones during the early stages of this investigation, but they are still asking people with information to call the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency phone number at 620-343-4225. Residents can also reach out to Lyon County Crime Stoppers by calling 620-342-2273, using the P3Tips mobile app or going online to p3tips.com.
3:20 pm Tuesday: Perez-Ricardo charged with second-degree murder
Arrested Sunday evening after an alleged incident Saturday night that authorities say led to the death of 62-year-old Raul Rosado Reyes, Alexei Perez-Ricardo was formally charged with murder Tuesday afternoon.
Emporia Police arrested Perez-Ricardo on suspicion of first-degree murder, assault and a weapons violation after Reyes was found dead at a residence in the 200 block of West 10th on Sunday morning. Lyon County Attorney Amy Aranda has charged Perez-Ricardo, age 36 of Emporia, with single counts of second-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated robbery. Perez-Ricardo will have his first official appearance in Lyon County District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
The difference between first-degree and second-degree murder in Kansas largely involves intent and/or planning ahead of an alleged crime. First-degree murder needs to be planned and intentional, while second-degree murder charges can be filed if prosecutors believe the crime was intentional but not planned ahead of time or there were extremely reckless activity, indicating a disregard for human life even if the result was not intended.
Formal charges developed after Lyon County Emergency Dispatch says it received a call of a reportedly unconscious person around 7 am Sunday. Officers responded and found Reyes dead inside the residence with unspecified apparent injuries.
The Investigation Division took over the lead on the inquiry, developing Perez-Ricardo as the primary suspect. He was found a short time after the initial call and later arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, assault and a weapons violation. The investigation points to a confrontation Saturday night and Perez-Ricardo leaving the scene after the incident, originally on foot but later using a bicycle.
The investigation continues into this case. Officers received information from witnesses, home surveillance videos and cell phones during the early stages of this investigation, but they are still asking people with information to call the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency phone number at 620-343-4225. Residents can also reach out to Lyon County Crime Stoppers by calling 620-342-2273, using the P3Tips mobile app or going online to p3tips.com.
12:15 pm Tuesday: Alleged disturbance Saturday led to arrest Sunday
Formal charges still haven’t been filed yet, but the Emporia Police Department has shed more light into a homicide that happened this past weekend.
Officers say an incident unfolded in the 200 block of West 10th that led to the death of 62-year-old Raul Rosado Reyes. Lyon County Emergency Dispatch says it received a call of a reportedly unconscious person around 7 am Sunday. Officers responded and found Reyes dead inside the residence with unspecified apparent injuries.
The Investigation Division took over the lead on the inquiry, developing 36-year-old Alexei Perez-Ricardo as the primary suspect. He was found a short time after the initial call and later arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, assault and a weapons violation. The investigation points to a confrontation Saturday night and Perez-Ricardo leaving the scene after the incident, originally on foot but later using a bicycle.
Officers received information from witnesses, home surveillance videos and cell phones during the early stages of this investigation, but they are still asking people with information to call the Lyon County Emergency Communications non-emergency phone number at 620-343-4225. Residents can also reach out to Lyon County Crime Stoppers by calling 620-342-2273, using the P3Tips mobile app or going online to p3tips.com.
