Updated Sept. 6 at 1:42 p.m.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The suspect accused in the strangulation and beating of a Hutchinson woman on Aug. 24 is now formally charged with intentional and premeditated first-degree murder.
The victim, Lora Stratton, never regained consciousness and died at a Wichita hospital.
Deputy District Attorney Thomas Stanton was granted a motion amending charges against 24-year-old Isaac Ervin to first-degree murder.
Stanton’s request to have the bond increased to $250,000 was denied by Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville. He says the $100,000 bond is sufficient to keep Ervin in jail.
The co-defendant, 22-year-old Delshay Visonhaler, will not be charged with murder. Visonhaler is charged with reckless aggravated battery and obstruction.
Stratton was found unconscious and face down in an alley in the 700 block of West 7th.
Ervin appeared via video feed from the Reno County Correctional Facility with his attorney, Steve Osburn, in the courtroom. The family of the victim was also present, some wept during the hearing.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The victim of strangulation and beating two weeks ago in Hutchinson has died. The Reno County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Lora Stratton died at a Wichita hospital. She never regained consciousness.
Deputy District Attorney Thomas Stanton says he will be filing a motion amending charges against 24-year-old Isaac Ervin to first-degree murder. Ervin is expected to be before Judge Joe McCarville on the amended complaint Friday.
Stanton says no additional charges are anticipated at this time against the co-defendant, 22-year-old Delshay Visonhaler, who is charged with one count of reckless aggravated battery and one count of obstruction.
Stratton was found unconscious in an alley in the 700 block of West 7th Avenue Aug. 24. She was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and then to Wichita.