HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 19-year-old man suspected of being the shooter in the killing of another man back in June was in court Tuesday afternoon for a bond hearing, but not to get out of jail.

Leo Wells is charged with murder in the second degree for the shooting of a Hutchinson man earlier this year. His attorney told Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen that her client doesn’t intend to bond out, but wants to participate in the dog training program at the Reno County Correctional Facility. In order to do that, he has to be a trustee. In order to be a trustee, his bond needs to be lowered.

The problem is that to participate in this program, Sheriff Randy Henderson would have to agree to allow him outside the facility where this occurs. Sheriff Henderson, who was at the hearing, says he wouldn’t allow a person facing a murder charge out of the facility, saying he’s responsible for Wells, but also the safety of the community. Even if the bond was lowered, he would not be allowed to participate.

Judge Allen noted during the hearing that Wells already participates in three other programs inside the facility. The GED program, Peer Support Program and the Mental Health and Addiction program.

She denied the motion for the reduction of the $350,000 bond.

The case itself started when Hutchinson Police Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of South Elm in reference to a shooting and located the victim, Kenneth Thompson, lying in the street with a gunshot wound. Thompson was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries. The shooting occurred around 3:30 a.m. on June 24.

The case is still pending a preliminary hearing.