Teen Beating Suspect Pleads Guilty

May 06, 2010

Kevin Johnson

by Cliff Judy (WICHITA, Kan)

Another Wichita teen pleaded guilty to robbing and beating a Riverside couple with a baseball bat on Thursday morning. Kevin Johnson's trial was scheduled to begin Thursday, but he pleaded guilty to burglary, robbery, and battery instead.

Prosecutors say he and another teen broke into a Riverside home in December 2008 and robbed the couple inside.

Sandy Seemuth says the robbery started as a simple knock at the door, and the teens rushed inside when she answered it.

"I'm still scared," Seemuth said after Johnson's guilty plea. "I mean, there's a knock at the door and then I just kind of freeze. I have to tell myself, 'Remember, go look out the window before you open the door.'"

Seemuth still says she saw three people come into her home, but a third suspect in the robbery has never been identified. She was especially hoping for a guilty verdict for Johnson because she says he's the one she remembers using the baseball bat.

Seemuth is back to work at the Riverside Cafe near 13th and Waco, and she says she's the lucky one in this attack. Her boyfriend, Tom Scovel, was beaten so badly he suffered a severe head injury he may never fully recover from.

"I just can't wait until sentencing and it's over so there's justice for Tom," says Seemuth.

Earlier this year, a judge sentenced Johnson's co-defendant, Adam Burrell, to more than 10 years in prison. Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and two counts each of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery. His robbery charge alone means he's facing at least four-and-a-half years in prison.

Johnson's sentencing is set for June 25.

--------------------------------------------------------

The second of two teens suspected of beating and robbing a north Wichita couple in December of 2008 pleads guilty.

Kevin Johnson and Adam Burrell were both seventeen at the time of the incident. One of the victims may have suffered permanent damage in the attack.

Kevin Johnson pleaded guilty Thursday morning to all five counts against him, Aggravated Burglary, two counts of Aggravated Robbery and two counts of Aggravated Battery.

He'll be sentenced June 25.

Burrell pleaded guilty to several charges earlier this year and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in April.

Johnson's trial will be before a judge, not a jury.

Eyewitness News is following the trial. Look for updates as they become available.

|

|

|