SEDGWICK—A man accused of in the deadly shooting of his mother-in-law in front of his 8-year-old son was back in court last week.
On Friday, Stephen Rogers entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and child endangerment in a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Tyler Rousch, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Rogers was originally charged with first-degree murder.
In July, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 49-year-old Sharmaine Marlene Burke, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. Burke reported that her son-in-law, 29-year-old Stephen J. Rogers of Wichita, was drunk and had threatened to shoot her. She also stated that her eight-year-old grandson, Rogers’ son, was inside the home at the Longbranch Mobile Home Park near Derby.
The 911 call-taker stayed on the line as deputies responded. A few minutes into the call, gunshots were heard, and the line went silent.
Deputies arrived at 11:41 p.m. and found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body. Deputies and Sedgwick County EMS attempted life-saving measures, but Burke succumbed to her injuries at 11:57 p.m.
Rogers and his son were not at the scene when deputies arrived. An immediate search for both the suspect and the child began. Deputies obtained critical information, including a description of Rogers’ vehicle, and shared it with surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Rogers was found with his son in Butler County and arrested. His son was not injured. Rogers' sentencing is scheduled for May 8, according to the district attorney's office.