Ellis Co. Attorney
An Ellis County man was found guilty Friday of pre-meditated first-degree murder after a week-long trial in Ellis County District Court. The jury deliberated for slightly more than two hours.
Colby Alan Trickle, 29, was charged with pre-meditated first-degree murder in the Oct. 31, 2019 shooting death of his wife, Kristin Trickle, 27, according to a news release from the Ellis County Attorney's Office.
The defendant was also charged with falsely reporting information twice to Hays Police Department officers during the investigation. He was arrested in July 2021.
Aaron Cunningham, assistant Ellis County Attorney, was the lead prosecutor. Presiding over the case was the Honorable Glenn Braun, chief district court judge of the 23rd Judicial District.
Sentencing for Trickle has yet to be scheduled.
Kansas law requires the defendant to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for a 50-years for the conviction of premeditated murder in the first degree.
“Sadly, we will never be able to bring Kristen Trickle back. It is my hope however, that this conviction brings some level of comfort and healing to those who knew and loved Kristen," said Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson in the news release.
“This result is the culmination of a lot of hard work and hours invested by many people devoted to the safety of this community. The diligence, determination, and dedication of our local law enforcement and first responders have led to this moment for Kristen Trickle and her family.”
“I am very proud of all my staff for the hard work that was put into this case," Anderson said, "but in particular Mr. Cunningham for having taken such a difficult case head-on and for achieving justice for Kristen and her family."