Author: Brandon Peoples

A Riley County jury has concluded that a 29-year-old Manhattan man intentionally killed his estranged wife while she slept in her home in late September 2021. Kamahl Bobian was convicted Friday on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and two counts of violating a protective order. Jurors deliberated for about two hours, following a week of testimony from close to two dozen witnesses and the defendant. He faces a sentence of 50 years to life in prison, when he’s sentenced to prison next month. In his closing statement, Deputy Riley County Attorney Trinity Muth stated the protection from abuse order,…

Closing arguments will be heard Friday morning in the Kamahl Bobian murder trial in Riley County District Court. Bobian took the stand Thursday in his own defense, a day after jurors were shown a video that revealed him confessing to murdering his wife on September 25, 2021. Bobian didn’t dispute that he stabbed 27-year-old Shanell Bobian, but does dispute that he acted with pre-meditation, stating so several times under cross examination from Deputy Riley County Attorney Trinity Muth. Despite a protection of abuse order filed a week prior, Kamahl testified to drinking at a house party on Ratone Street then…

The Geary County USD 475 School Board recently approved a site for a new $35 million dollar early childhood center. The board voted unanimously on Oct. 26 to build the center on the site of the former Junction City High School property. The 24-classroom facility could break ground before the end of the current school year. District officials will be meeting with a facilities committee soon to discuss a five year plan for the remaining parcels on the property, which includes the old turf football field and track. Board member Jason Butler says with such a large investment, the district…

A Westmoreland man is jailed in Riley County following an arrest on a Pottawatomie County District Court warrant this week. According to the Riley County Police Department, 23-year-old Shawn Samuelson was arrested while at the jail Tuesday on the warrant charging him with distribution of a controlled substance, causing death. He remains jailed on a $25,000 bond. As reported by KMAN, Samuelson was one of three individuals arrested in June in connection to the fentanyl-related death of an 18-year-old man at a Manhattan hotel in March. Others charged in that incident included Noah Baker, of Junction City and McKaine Farr,…

An investigation is underway following the burglary and theft at a Manhattan car wash this week. According to the Riley County Police Department, officers were called out Tuesday morning to Willie’s Car Wash in the 1100 block of Westport Drive. An unknown suspect reportedly broke into the car wash, stole money and damaged machines and other property. Police say the total loss associated with the incident is close to $18,000. Anyone with tips can submit them through Crime Stoppers.

The murder trial for 28-year-old Kamahl Bobian continued Tuesday in Riley County District Court, with jurors hearing more testimony from the state’s witnesses. Bobian stands charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and two counts of violating a protective order in the September 2021 death of 27-year-old Shanell Bobian. Prosecutors presented witnesses from RCPD Tuesday who shared more details surrounding a protection from abuse order issued about a week prior to Shanell’s death. Jurors were shown a series of text messages sent from Kamahl, which appeared to violate terms of that order. Included in that was a nude photo of Shanell…

Riley County Police are investigating an alleged incident of criminal damage to property in Aggieville According to police, a male suspect damaged the elevator inside the city owned parking garage on Laramie Street. The estimated total loss is about $5,000. No arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning.

A Manhattan man is on trial this week for the September 2021 death of his wife. The trial got underway in Riley County District Court Monday afternoon for 28-year-old Kamahl Bobian, who is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and two counts of violating a protective order. Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson told jurors in his opening statement that evidence will show that Bobian stabbed 27-year-old Shanell Bobian at least seven times in the neck, then dragged her body into his van, before dumping it in the woods near the Timber Creek area of Pottawatomie County, then fled to Topeka,…

A Manhattan woman with past criminal convictions was arrested this past weekend following a reported burglary. According to the Riley County Police Department, 37-year-old Amy Roth was charged with probable cause offenses of burglary and criminal trespass. She was arrested in the 400 block of Leavenworth Street just after 5 p.m. Sunday. Roth was released from jail after posting a $12,000 bond. Online records show Roth has past convictions of burglary, theft, forgery and criminal possesion of a weapon.

The start of November means the return of the Cold Weather Rule, designed to protect Kansans behind on utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months. While the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer’s service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. First implemented by the Kansas Corporation Commission in 1983, the rule prevents companies from disconnecting a customer’s natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold. The rule, in effect through the end of March, also requires utility companies to offer a…