After the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of a Hutchinson man, his case was heard by the Kansas Supreme Court. That happened recently for 60-year-old Willie Dale.

Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder says he believes his argument to uphold the conviction and sentence went well.

Dale was found guilty of attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated robbery, and three counts of aggravated assault after a jury trial in November of 2007.

The argument before the high court was whether Schroeder should have been allowed to show a redacted video in tape which was slowed down. Schroeder says he gave a football analogy talking about the instant replay. The point of showing the slowed version of the video was to help the jury see the events unfold.

The case involves events surrounding the robbery of Absolutely Flowers at 1328 North Main back on December 10, 2005. Dale came in the store and demanded cash. He apparently pointed the gun at co-owner Karen Maness, and also threatened others in the store.

He later left on foot, pointing his gun at two men following him and firing one round at them. Later he pointed the gun at an employee inside the garage at Elliot Mortuary.

A short time later while still trying to get away, he fired two rounds at now retired Police Lt. Clay Rothe with Rothe returning fire striking Dale in the leg. That was the slowed tape from Rothe’s patrol vehicle.

Dale is serving nearly 63 years or basically the rest of his life in prison.