By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostIt took jurors just two and a half hours Wednesday to
find Kylie Jo Elizabeth Waldschmidt guilty for her role in the 2018 killing of 26-year-old
Diego Gallaway in Hays.Waldschmidt, 25, was charged with aiding and abetting felony
murder after Gallaway was found shot to death on Feb. 27, 2018, in the area of
27th Street and Indian Trail in Hays.Waldschmidt’s trial was delayed until this week due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and, following three days of testimony and two and a half
hours of jury deliberation, jurors delivered the guilty verdict Wednesday
afternoon in Ellis County District Court.The conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence of 25
years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605899849127.png" alt="Waldschmidt / Ellis County photo" />
 <figcaption>Waldschmidt / Ellis County photo</figcaption>
 </figure>According to court documents, Waldschmidt and Ryan Paul
Thompson, 36, obtained a gun and went to the 2700 block of Indian Trail to confront
Gallaway about money.During the confrontation, Thompson pulled out a gun, put
Gallaway in a headlock and shot him in the back of the head, authorities said.For his role in the murder, Thompson pleaded guilty, in November
of last year, to intentional second-degree murder and drug possession with the
intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 23 years and 11-months
in prison. Alysha Meade, 30, the woman who investigators say gave
Thompson the gun used in the murder, was sentenced 15 months in prison for
felony drug possession last November. She has served her sentence and is on
post-release supervision.Waldschmidt’s sentencing is expected to be scheduled for December.Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said, “I thank the jurors
for their attentiveness and dedication during this trial in which they were
subject to COVID restrictions and modifications. I thank Chief Judge Glenn
Braun, Court Administrator Amanda Truan and the entire court staff for their
extraordinary efforts to provide a COVID approved courtroom and trial, pursuant
to Kansas Supreme Court requirement.”He added, “Hopefully this will bring some measure of comfort
and closure to the Gallaway family.”The Ellis County courtroom underwent several modifications
to allow the trial to be held this week.The trial is also the final jury trial for Ellis County Attorney
Tom Drees after he was elected District Judge in the 23rd Judicial District.
He will begin serving on the bench in January.

Hays woman found guilty for role in murder