SEDGWICK COUNTY – In a Sedgwick County courtroom on Friday Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 22-year-old John A. Griffin III to 673 months—more than 56 years—in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for killing two people at a motel in Wichita in February of 2024, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In October, Griffin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 35-year-old Christopher Harrell and 35-year-old Natisha Phillips in a motel room in 7300 block of E. Kellogg in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Just before 9:30a.m. February 24, 2024, police were dispatched to a shooting call at a motel in the 7300 block of E. Kellogg, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.
First responders located the two shooting victims in a motel room identified as Harrell and 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 used resources to address any psychological or medical needs for the child. Subsequent investigation led the arrest of Griffin
Griffin had been in prison for portion of 2022 and 2023 after a conviction for Battery 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.
As a part of the sentencing on Friday, Griffin will also be subject to a period of 36 months of post-release supervision. Additionally, as part of the judgment, Judge Tyler Roush ordered him to pay approximately $8,500 in restitution.