State v. Colwell

The opinion of the court was delivered by

McFarland, J.:

Steve R. Colwell appeals from his jury trial conviction of felony first-degree murder (K.S.A. 21-3401) and abuse of a child (K.S.A. 21-3609).

Kelli Gates was bom on September 29, 1980, to the marriage of Brenda and Larry Gates. She was bom six weeks prematurely and was in poor health for much of her first two years. A second daughter, Lindsay, was bom to the Gates family on January 30, 1983. In October of 1984, the Gates’ marriage ended in divorce with Brenda being granted custody of the two children. Brenda met defendant Steve Colwell in…