A Manhattan woman originally from Texas has been given a three year probation sentence for her role in her boyfriend’s 2018 death.
Riley County District Court Judge John Bosch on Tuesday handed down the 36-month sentence to 22-year-old Gregoria Baez. A jury found her guilty in September of involuntary manslaughter related to the death of 21-year-old Felix Florez, a former Geary County correctional officer.
Initially charged with second-degree murder, Baez was convicted of the lesser offense after prosecutors failed to prove intent based on her reckless behavior. The couple reportedly had a history of jokingly pulling guns on each other according to court testimony during the trial. She told police that she somehow disengaged the safety when she pulled the gun out Sept. 22, 2018 and fired the fatal shot below Florez’ right eye.
Tha Manhattan Mercury reports Baez will serve out her probation in Texas, where she now lives, but has also been ordered to pay over $600 in legal fees and is required to register for 15 years through the Kansas Offender Registration Act.
