State v. Kerley

The opinion of the court was delivered by

McFarland, J.:

Cameron J. Kerley was convicted of second-degree murder (K.S.A. 21-3402) for the September 3, 1983, killing of his adoptive father. The conviction was by a plea of guilty. Mr. Kerley was sentenced to a term of fifteen years to life and appeals therefrom.

Defendant is a Sioux Valley Indian who was raised on a Canadian reservation until age five. Defendant’s father was killed in a fight. His mother was an alcoholic and failed to care for him which resulted in Canadian authorities taking him into custody. His mother subsequently died. At age…