ELLIS COUNTY – A Kansas man is facing a 2nd degree murder charge in connection with a fight in the 500 block of East 20th on July 30 in Hays.

Authorities say Derrick Allen Smith, 25, and Timothy Isiah Walker, 33, engaged in what was thought to be a mutual fight.

Walker was knocked unconscious and after, authorities allege, Smith struck Walker several times to the head, leading to Walker’s death.

Murder in the second degree — “unintentionally but recklessly under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life” — is a level 2 person felony, and carries a potential sentence of 109 to 493 months in prison, depending upon prior criminal history.

Smith remains in the Ellis County jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

In a news release, the Ellis County Attorney’s Office expressed sympathy to the family of Walker, and reminded that defendants maintain a presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.