Apr 10, 2020

Kan. woman jailed for incident that prompted officer shooting

Posted Apr 10, 2020 1:36 PM
Roberts photo Sedgwick County
Roberts photo Sedgwick County

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and after asking the public for help, have arrested  24-year-old Madelyn Roberts of Wichita.

Just after 3 a.m. Thursday, officers initiated a traffic stop on a stolen red Chevrolet Sonic at Kellogg and Hillside in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. 

Roberts, who was identified as the driver, refused to stop, and a traffic pursuit ensued.  The vehicle became disabled at Lincoln and I-135, and Roberts and a passenger identified a John Hall-Kennedy were arrested without further incident.

Hall-Kennedy
Hall-Kennedy

Roberts was wanted regarding an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer case that occurred on Monday, March 16, in the 1200 block of West 2nd Street.  In that case, officers responded to a residence to check for a stolen vehicle.

Roberts was backing the car into the driveway, and an 18-year-old identified as Kaeden Murphy was causing a verbal disturbance in the front of the residence.

One officer contacted Murphy and the second officer went to contact Roberts. She put the car in drive, drove into the officer, and struck him with the vehicle while fleeing. The officer ended up on the hood of the car before sliding off. The second officer lost sight of the first officer believing he was injured and being dragged by the vehicle and fired three shots. Roberts fled the scene in the stolen car. No one was injured in this event.

The March incident involving Roberts has been presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and Thursday's case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. 

 Roberts is being held on on bonds totaling $180,000 for aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, felony flee and elude, an aggravated weapons violation, theft, two city of Wichita warrants, and a Sedgwick County warrant, stemming from the early morning chase and the officer-involved shooting in March.

John Hall-Kennedy  is being held on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a Kansas Department of Corrections parole violation. 

Police released this photo of Roberts in their effort to locate her
Police released this photo of Roberts in their effort to locate her

Roberts has been previously arrested and convicted on charges that include criminal possession of a weapon and possession of drugs.  Hall-Kennedy has been previously arrested and convicted on a charge of manufacturing of meth.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and asking the public to help locate a suspect identified as 22-year-old Madelyn Roberts of Wichita.

Just after 8:30 p.m. March 16, police responded to a home in the 1200 block of West 2nd Street to check for a stolen vehicle, according to officer Charley Davidson.  

Upon arrival, officers located the stolen vehicle at the home.  Roberts was backing the car into the driveway, and an 18-year-old man identified as Kaeden Murphy was causing a verbal disturbance in the front of the residence. 

One officer contacted Murphy, and the second officer went to contact Roberts.  She put the car in drive, drove into the officer, and struck him with the vehicle while fleeing. 

The officer ended up on the hood of the car before sliding off.  The second officer lost sight of the first officer believing he was being injured and drug by the vehicle, and fired three shots.  Roberts fled the scene in the stolen car.  No one was injured in this event.

Murphy

Officers arrested the Murphy at the home, and he was booked into jail on charges of obstruct and outstanding warrants. 

Sometime later, a WPD officer recovered the abandoned stolen vehicle at a business in the 9400 block of East Cooperate Hills Drive. 

 Roberts also has outstanding warrants through the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County.  Anyone with information on Roberts is asked to contact police.