SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man accused in the brutal murder of his mother made a first court appearance on June 2. 21-year-old Devin Joel of Yuba City, California, is charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated burglary, and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of a clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.
First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.
Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.
Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him.
The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident. Joel remains jailed on a one-million dollar bond. Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on June 15, according to the district attorney's office.