Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today (May 3, 2019) that Topeka resident Ahmad Rayton, 23, was sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted voluntary manslaughter for attempting to kill Robert Wheeler during the deadly confrontation that occurred on October 1, 2017 on Massachusetts Street. 

The Court sentenced Rayton to 120 months in the custody of the Kansas Secretary of Corrections – prison.  When Rayton is eventually released from prison he will be subject to 24 months post-release supervision and will be required to register as a violent offender for 15 years. 

Rayton’s case co-defendant, 22-year old Anthony Roberts, Jr., also of Topeka, is currently set for a jury trial to begin on June 10.  He faces charges of two counts of first degree murder, second degree murder, and attempted second degree murder.  Charges against Roberts are merely accusations of criminal conduct and he is innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Today’s hearing was held in the Division Two Courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny.  The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Charles Branson, Deputy District Attorney David Melton, and Assistant District Attorney Hannah Wittman.

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*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

3.6 Advocate: Trial Publicity

3.8 Advocate: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor