Aug 12, 2024

Kan. woman who hid for 17 days after a murder is going to prison

Posted Aug 12, 2024 4:55 PM
Banks photo Sedgwick  County
Banks photo Sedgwick  County

SEDGWICK COUNTY —  A  Kansas woman who hid from police for 17-days after a deadly shooting is going to prison.

La'Niha Banks, 20, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years,  according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 If the parole board grants parole, she must serve an additional 65 months before she can be released.  Judge Jeffrey Goering gave her the life sentence for 1st degree felony murder and 13 months each for five additional crimes including criminal discharge of a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault.

The Judge ran each of those charges consecutive to the life sentence.  She was sentenced to 165 months for attempted 1st degree murder and 13 months for a second charge of criminal discharge of a firearm.  Those last two charges are to run concurrently with the previous sentence.

The Judge also ordered $7,500 in restitution to the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board and $14,773.26 to the family of the victim.

In March, a jury found her guilty of murder  in the first degree in the commission of a felony and Criminal discharge of a firearm.

Just after 11 pm May 20, 2023 police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita's Old Town. Upon arrival, officers located  19-year-old Lationna Johnson  with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.

EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, accord to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, Johnson started to drive away, but Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

Banks hid from police who finally arrested her on On June 6.  She quickly was able to meet the requirements of a $500,000 bond and was out of custody. After the jury verdict, Banks is in custody on a $1,000,000.00 bond.