Two brothers, Jonathan Carr and Reginald Carr, convicted of the heinous ‘Wichita Massacre’ two decades ago, have been denied a new hearing regarding resentencing. The gruesome murders occurred in December 2000, spanning a week and claiming the lives of five individuals. One woman, referred to as ‘H.G.’, survived the horrific ordeal and later testified against the brothers.
The Carr brothers’ reign of terror began with the shooting death of Ann Walenta, a 55-year-old cellist. Three days later, they broke into a home, terrorizing five people with guns and golf clubs. They forced the victims to withdraw money from ATMs and subjected them to hours of sexual assault. Finally, they drove the victims to a soccer field and executed them, execution-style.
Jonathan Carr’s attorneys asserted that trial attorneys failed to present evidence of Reginald Carr’s undue influence over his younger brother. The Kansas Supreme Court upheld their convictions but previously overturned their death sentences due to combined hearings for sentencing. However, the US Supreme Court reversed that decision, sending the case back to Kansas.
During the latest hearing, the brothers’ attorneys raised concerns about juror questioning regarding racial biases and misconduct within the Wichita Police Department. Despite these arguments, the judge denied their request for a resentencing hearing, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The Carr brothers remain on death row, facing the ultimate penalty for their heinous crimes.
