SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon accused in a double murder of a man and woman at Wichita motel made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday. John Aurthur Griffin III, 20, Wichita, was charged with capital murder, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated endangering a child, and two counts of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just before 9:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7300 block of E. Kellogg, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.
First responders located two shooting victims in a motel room identified as 35-year-old Christopher Harrell and 35-year-old Natisha Phillips both of Wichita.
EMS transported Harrell to a local area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Phillips was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Officers also located a young child at the scene, who was unharmed, and police are using resources to address any psychological or medical needs for the child.
Subsequent investigation led the arrest of Griffin. He had been in prison for portion of 2022 and 2023 after a conviction for Battery of a Juvenile Corrections Facility officer, Employer person confined, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. During his time his approximately 18 months in prison, Griffin had been disciplined nearly three dozen times for battery, theft, fighting and other crimes, according to the KDOC
His next court appearance is March 13. He is being held on a bond of six-million dollars.