Monday, January 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with
Bill Self, 6pm &nbsp;KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom, 6pm

Tuesday, January 14
 KFIX: Hays High MWBKB
at Emporia, 5:40pm &nbsp;KKQY: Logan-Palco MWBKB at Stockton, approx. 5:45pm

Wednesday, January 15
 KAYS: Tiger Talk,
12:15pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB at Iowa State, 4:30pm

Thursday, January 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WMBKB vs. Missouri Western State, 5:05pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB vs. Ellis, 5:40pm

Friday, January 17
 KKQY: Otis-Bison
MWBKB at LaCrosse, 5:15pm *
 KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Garden City, 5:40pm

Saturday, January 18
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs.
Kansas State, 10:30am &nbsp;KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Northwest Missouri State, 1:35pm
 KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans, 2pm
 Sunday,
1/19
none

Monday, January 13
 KAYS: Hawk Talk with
Bill Self, 6pm &nbsp;KFIX: Chiefs Kingdom, 6pmTuesday, January 14
 KFIX: Hays High MWBKB
at Emporia, 5:40pm &nbsp;KKQY: Logan-Palco MWBKB at Stockton, approx. 5:45pmWednesday, January 15
 KAYS: Tiger Talk,
12:15pm
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB at Iowa State, 4:30pmThursday, January 16
 KJLS: Fort Hays State
WMBKB vs. Missouri Western State, 5:05pm
 KHAZ: TMP-Marian MWBKB vs. Ellis, 5:40pmFriday, January 17
 KKQY: Otis-Bison
MWBKB at LaCrosse, 5:15pm *
 KFIX: Hays High MWBKB at Garden City, 5:40pmSaturday, January 18
 KAYS: Kansas MBKB vs.
Kansas State, 10:30am &nbsp;KJLS: Fort Hays State WMBKB vs. Northwest Missouri State, 1:35pm
 KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans, 2pm
 Sunday,
1/19
none

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

This story is the fourth in a four-part series on the life and death of Hays resident Karen Schumacher, who died at the hands of her husband in 2022.

Part 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f6fb5eb0-494c-4518-992a-6bffdf7c38c9">A Voice for Karen: Living behind a curtain of silence</a> Part 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/83db8380-36ef-4fae-998f-19d47159e964">A Voice for Karen: Leaving and going back</a> Part 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a1a463f9-45a3-424b-86b8-1445e2bf2959">A Voice for Karen: He took her away from us; hope for others</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3af7a093-f0d8-4c2e-a1e3-4a31be6c0e7e">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays man who killed wife sentenced to 10 years in prison</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/277704cd-f369-48f7-bfca-bdbdba1e8959">If you are a victim of domestic violence, find help here</a>

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

On April 5, more than two years after Karen Schumacher's death, Jay Schumacher, her husband, entered into a plea agreement on three felony charges in connection to her death.

Although Jay had been originally arrested on a charge of first-degree murder, he agreed to plea no contest to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery and mistreatment of a dependent adult.

On all three charges, Jay entered an Alford plea. Under an Alford plea, the defendant does not have to admit to the criminal act and can maintain innocence.&nbsp;

Schumacher was sentenced on Thursday to the maximum allowed under the plea agreement—122 months in prison with credit for almost three years of time served.

Schumacher’s attorneys requested he be placed in custody of the Larned State Correctional Facility for mental health treatment.

Schumacher was evaluated and found to not have a mental illness and did not qualify to serve any of his sentences at Larned.

Jay Schumacher's sister testified at his sentencing, saying his brother was "not a monster."

Jay Schumacher declined to speak on his own behalf during the sentencing. He expressed no emotion during the proceedings.

When the plea agreement was announced, Jeremiah Schumacher, Karen’s son, called the recommended sentence a “slap in the face.”

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3606211c-9893-40e3-b0bf-e1036909f17d">SEE RELATED STORY: Son of woman killed by her husband says plea agreement 'slap in face'</a>

"He beat my mom for 40 years, and you're gonna give him this," Jeremiah told a Hays Post reporter days after the plea agreement was announced. "What he did was not accidental. What he did was quite deliberate. Did he snap? Maybe. Sure. But it wasn't manslaughter."

Jeremiah said the courts should have considered his father’s pattern of violence.&nbsp;

“You would do this for a serial killer, but you won’t do this for a one-off,” Jeremiah said.

“I can tell you how he beat me, beat my mom was a bouncer and beat the hell out of people just at random, and none of that matters?” he said. “None of the things that we witnessed matters.”

“It’s just what happened that day and only that day. That’s not right,” Jeremiah said. “That doesn’t give a victim of 40 years any kind of justice.”

Jay was never arrested or convicted for violence or threats against Karen, Jeremiah or violations of the Karen’s protection from abuse order.

Had Jay been convicted of any prior bad acts, that could have resulted in a longer sentence based on Kansas sentencing guidelines. As the case stands, he had no criminal record before his arrest in connection with Karen's death.

Jeremiah said he felt the systems that were supposed to protect him and his mother had let them down.

“I think the judicial system would have handled my mom’s case better had law enforcement done their jobs,” Jeremiah said.

Kayci, Jeremiah's wife, sat knee to knee with her husband.&nbsp;

“I guarantee if someone did that to a family member of yours, you would want justice. This isn’t OK. It’s wrong,” Kayci said, crying.

Jeremiah; Kayci; Sue, Karen sister; and Scarlett Deutscher,&nbsp;Karen's long-time friend, all gave victim impact statements at the sentencing.

All four said they hoped Jay would be sentenced to more than the 10 years allowed in the plea agreement. They detailed some of the horrors that Karen shared with them about her life with Jay.

Leaving the courtroom after hearing the 10-year sentence, Jeremiah looked physically and emotionally defeated as friends and family attempted to comfort him.

Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Schumacher to the maximum sentence allowed by law based on the charges that Jay Schumacher pleaded to.

Judge Braun, who is set to retire as a full-time judge today, spoke at length about his frustration about how the system failed Karen, who he regarded as a personal friend.

The two met when Karen was a dispatcher and Braun was the Hays city prosecutor.

"She was as she was described here today," Braun said. "She was friendly. She was engaging. She was cooperative. She was hard-working. ... It was a joy and pleasure to know her."

Braun said he heard the words failure of the system.

"They're right," he said. "The system fails victims of domestic abuse all of the time. Why? Because we as a society have not accepted the idea that spouses beat other spouses."

He said every Wednesday, he deals with domestic violence cases in which no contact orders are lifted.

"Repeatedly, I hear 'I want to go back home. It wasn't that bad. It's the cops' fault,'" Braun said.

Police are mandated to arrest and jail offenders because "society is finally starting to recognize that this is a disease, a problem, and it's more pervasive than we ever wanted to believe," Braun said.&nbsp;

He said the O.J. Simpson trial prompted action in America to protect domestic violence victims.

He said two things happened in California after that case hit the news. Domestic violence helplines were flooded, which might be expected.

What was not expected was women leaving domestic shelters and returning to their abusive spouses, saying, 'I can live with being beaten, but my children can't live without me. It's better for my kids to take the beating than to die at the hands of my abuser,'" Braun said.

Braun said people are asking why Karen didn't leave.

"Because when you live in a life of abuse, emotional, physical — when loved ones are threatened, or you believe they are threatened, you do what you have to do to protect them," Braun said.

Braun addressed Jay Schumahcer, saying he bares responsibility for Karen's death, but so does society.

"Did the system fail? Yeah, it did," Braun said. "All these people who stood up here today, they failed too. Could they have done more? Could law enforcement have done more? Maybe. If they had more information. Society failed, and that's what brought us here today."

Braun also addressed the issue of the plea agreement.

He said the judicial system can't function without plea agreements. The courts do not have enough attorneys, prosecutors and judges to take all cases to trial, and the taxpayers aren't willing to pay for the courts to be staffed to do so.

"If every case went to trial, the system would paralyzed, and justice would never be served," Braun said.

He added, "People will walk out and want to blame Mr. Cunningham. They'll want to blame the police officers. They'll want to blame me. Fine. They better look in the mirror, but they share in that blame just like society in general shares in a little bit of the responsibility and blame for the loss of Karen."

Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, said domestic violence needs to be considered a community health epidemic. Until it is addressed this way, it will be a problem without a solution, she said.

She said domestic violence is not strictly a personal choice.&nbsp;

"When we think strictly about what's legal and not legal in terms of domestic violence, then all of that responsibility falls on law enforcement or the court system," Hecker said. "There are a lot of elements of domestic violence that are not illegal. The physical violence is illegal, but the many other [aspects] are not."

Hecker said abusers can seize control over finances, isolate victims from friends and family, and inflict mental and emotional abuse. None of this is illegal, yet she said they can be the most devastating to the victim.&nbsp;

"Yes, the system is broken, [and will be] until juries understand the dynamics of domestic violence. There is more we can do to educate our community as a whole around the dynamics and danger around domestic violence," Hecker said.

"I think we need to do more to hold perpetrators accountable for these crimes and to act more swiftly. That is why programs like the lethality assessment protocols are so important because they strengthen the system that will keep people safe."

Hecker said some of the patterns seen in Jay and Karen’s marriage are common in other domestic violence cases. The average victim takes seven to 10 times to leave an abusive relationship and stay gone.

The reasons why abuse victims stay with their abusers are complex. Some of the reasons include a lack of finances, concerns over their children, lack of transportation and lack of housing. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women with children in the United States.

There also may be pressure from their faith community or family to stay in the relationship or marriage, she said.

The Lethality Assessment Program was implemented in 2024 in Hays. Law enforcement officers ask domestic violence victims a series of questions about their relationship, which helps them assess their risk of being killed by their abuser. The officer then connects them live on the phone with a domestic violence advocate.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0e23095e-92ee-4d2d-81df-6b263d4e263f">SEE RELATED STORY: New program seeks to reduce murders in Ellis County</a>

&nbsp;Hecker said, "… victims become so used to minimizing the harm that's happening to them so they can survive it emotionally and mentally so they can attempt some healing for themselves," Hecker said. "But with that often come blinders about how much more violent and dangerous that situation is becoming."

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said he believes the police have been more successful in helping victims of domestic violence get the assistance that they need using the assessment.

 "At the Hays Police Department, we know that in our community, you are more likely to be killed or seriously injured by a person that says 'they love you' or that 'they care for you' than you are by a stranger. 

"We know that by the time domestic violence is reported to law enforcement, the violence has already occurred multiple times. So, it is vital for the safety of the victim that once we become aware of the violence that we do all we can to get them help."

Scheibler added he also believes the Lethality Assessment Program helps law enforcement better document the situation, which will allow the prosecutors and the courts to make better-informed decisions in the handling of criminal cases involving the abusers.

Scheibler said he favors a holistic approach to preventing domestic violence.

"We cannot miss the opportunity to help the victims when they ask for assistance. Trauma-informed approaches by law enforcement, such as the Lethality Assessment Program, will be vital moving forward," he said.

Scheibler also knew Karen personally from her time working as a dispatcher. He said he has struggled with why Karen never reported the abuse to one of her co-workers.

"It is important for people to understand that Karen was a beautiful person. She came to work every day with a smile on her face. She was kind, companionate and a joy to be around. She was quick to smile and quick to laugh," Scheibler said.

"Karen did not look or act like a victim of domestic violence, and to my knowledge, she never told her supervisors the abuse she was facing at home. &nbsp;As a dispatcher, she would have known what our response was going be to her reporting that she was a victim of domestic violence, &nbsp;so I can only speculate why she didn't."

Unfortunately, Karen's being in the law enforcement profession may have made it more difficult for her to ask for help, Scheibler said.

"Law enforcement is the solver of community problems. When people are in crisis or need help, they call us, and we respond," Scheibler said.&nbsp; "First responders excel at helping others but often struggle to ask for help. By the time she began working in the law enforcement field, she had already been in an abusive relationship for almost 20 years. 

"She may have normalized the abuse, which is common for victims. The most tragic thing about why victims of domestic violence often don't report the abuse is that their abuser is the person that they love."

He added, "Knowing what I know now about Karen's situation, I suspect she enjoyed coming to work at the law enforcement center as it was a place that she could go to and feel safe. Nobody was going to hurt her while she was here. I wish we had known Karen needed our help, and we could have intervened."

Unlike Judge Braun, Scheibler said he did not blame&nbsp;Karen, her family and friends, co-workers, or society for Karen's death.

"The blame for her death and the abuse she suffered falls totally upon her abuser," he said. "I am proud of the work of the Hays Police Department did in bringing him to justice and holding him accountable for the horrific things he did to Karen. He has been found guilty in a court of law and sentenced to prison; it just doesn’t feel like it is enough."

Hecker said community members need to understand the far reach of domestic violence in the community and its lasting effects on families.

“That is so important to understand that there is a ripple effect to domestic and sexual violence that impacts not just the victim but everyone in their circle. It’s like dropping a rock in a pond,” she said.

For victims who survive the abuse, there are lasting physical, psychological and financial effects.

"It can be a lifetime or decades of financial instability because they are trying to get back on their feet," Hecker said. "Getting access to mental health care is expensive, and there are financial aspects of the physical abuse. They're paying medical bills."

Hecker said these burdens often result in housing instability for the survivor and their children.

The brain development of children who witness violence is also affected.

“For children, it creates a sense of mistrust in their family. ‘I can’t trust the parent who’s hurting us, and I can’t trust the parent who’s not protecting us,'" Hecker said.

Jeremiah said the violence in his home has definitely affected him. Trust is a significant issue.

"I also put up a lot of walls. I've gotten a lot better throughout the years just because I got away from it, but there are always things," he said.

“I can’t hear the sound of a belt snapping. If you put leather together — that sound freaks me out to this day. [Kayci] can attest to it. I lose it.” Jeremiah said.

Kayci said, touching Jeremiah’s knee, “Our kids think it's funny because they don’t know what he went through. I have to try to explain to them.”

Jeremiah said even being in a loud room unsettles him.

“Me losing it or becoming more upset that I need to because my kids are being loud ... because if I was loud, I was going to get the hell beat out of me,” Jeremiah said.

Losing his mother made things even worse.

“I know it really, really, really screwed with my mind,” he said. “I know I can’t focus anymore. It’s hard to focus on things. Then, the hyper fixation on things. It’s like all of a sudden, I got huge ADHD,” Jeremiah said.

“I’m trying to be a better person, trying to be someone who my mom would be proud of. I don’t know. It’s just hard in general,” he said.

Hecker said the first thing loved ones can do to help a domestic violence victim is to believe them.&nbsp;

A Voice for Karen: 'A slap in the face,' hope for others

If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, you can receive help in a variety of ways from Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. The agency serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas.

 You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby. You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.

The Options website,&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>, offers a live chat option or video conference with an advocate.

The website has a safe escape button that allows you to close out of the website and erase your cookies quickly, so anyone on the computer after you cannot see that you have been on the website.

Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603907215006.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>How to get help</h2>If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, you can receive help in a variety of ways from Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. The agency serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas. You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby. You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.The Options website,&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>, offers a live chat option or video conference with an advocate.The website has a safe escape button that allows you to close out of the website and erase your cookies quickly, so anyone on the computer after you cannot see that you have been on the website.Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."

If you are a victim of domestic violence, get help here

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission on Friday announced the applicants for the vacancy on the Court of Appeals. The deadline to apply was 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. As of that deadline, the below individuals had submitted their applications for consideration.

Meryl Carver-Allmond, Lawrence Ali Marchant, Wichita Catherine Zigtema, Shawnee Christopher Sook, Hays Courtney Boehm, Junction City Erin Thompson, Fairway Kate Butler, Topeka Randall Hodgkinson, Topeka Lori Bolton Fleming, Pittsburg Paul Klepper, Lawrence Paula Johnson, St. Louis Russell J. Keller, Fairway Paula Langworthy, Derby Regine Thompson, Scandia Sherri Schuck, Topeka Tonda Jones Hill, Lawrence David J. Rempel, Overland Park Jason Thompson, Topeka Kristen Wheeler, Wichita

The Commission will interview applicants on Jan. 28 and 29 to fill the vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Henry Green, Jr. Interviews will be held at the Washburn University School of Law and are open to the public.

Governor Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. 

Under Kansas law, the governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews, and then submit three nominees for the governor to consider.

The interview schedule will be announced at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736525417285.png" alt="Chris Sook (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Chris Sook (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the GovernorTOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly and the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission on Friday announced the applicants for the vacancy on the Court of Appeals. The deadline to apply was 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. As of that deadline, the below individuals had submitted their applications for consideration.Meryl Carver-Allmond, Lawrence Ali Marchant, Wichita Catherine Zigtema, Shawnee Christopher Sook, Hays Courtney Boehm, Junction City Erin Thompson, Fairway Kate Butler, Topeka Randall Hodgkinson, Topeka Lori Bolton Fleming, Pittsburg Paul Klepper, Lawrence Paula Johnson, St. Louis Russell J. Keller, Fairway Paula Langworthy, Derby Regine Thompson, Scandia Sherri Schuck, Topeka Tonda Jones Hill, Lawrence David J. Rempel, Overland Park Jason Thompson, Topeka Kristen Wheeler, WichitaThe Commission will interview applicants on Jan. 28 and 29 to fill the vacancy on the Kansas Court of Appeals created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Henry Green, Jr. Interviews will be held at the Washburn University School of Law and are open to the public.Governor Kelly signed Executive Order 20-01 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, establishing the Court of Appeals Nominating Commission. Under Kansas law, the governor appoints judges to the Court of Appeals subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate. The Commission will review each applicant’s background and qualifications, conduct interviews, and then submit three nominees for the governor to consider.The interview schedule will be announced at a later date.

Hays man is applicant for state Court of Appeals vacancy 

Hays, KS - A rare opportunity to acquire the former High Plains Farm Credit headquarters, a 13,070-square-foot office building in Hays, Kansas. Positioned along one of Hays' busiest thoroughfares, the property offers excellent visibility and convenient access to restaurants, retail centers including Big Creek Crossing Mall, and Interstate 70.&nbsp;

The building itself features extensive modern upgrades, including a substantial 2017 expansion with a finished basement. The building offers 21 private offices, an executive boardroom, a state-of-the-art server room, and parking for 35-40 vehicles.&nbsp;

"This property represents a premium commercial opportunity in Hays," says Braden McCurdy, CEO and Auctioneer. "With its strategic location, modern security features, and recent updates, this property is an exceptional investment for businesses seeking a turnkey corporate facility."&nbsp;

Notable features include multiple executive suites, a kitchen with granite and stainless appliances, seven climate-controlled zones with several Nest thermostats, and a concrete pad plumbed for backup generator installation. The well-maintained property showcases meticulous landscaping and a shaded back patio area.&nbsp;

This office building is up for auction with online-only bidding beginning on February 4th and ending on February 12th. For more information, photos, and the terms and conditions for bidding, please visit McCurdy.com/10368&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736545899937.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hays, KS - A rare opportunity to acquire the former High Plains Farm Credit headquarters, a 13,070-square-foot office building in Hays, Kansas. Positioned along one of Hays' busiest thoroughfares, the property offers excellent visibility and convenient access to restaurants, retail centers including Big Creek Crossing Mall, and Interstate 70.&nbsp;The building itself features extensive modern upgrades, including a substantial 2017 expansion with a finished basement. The building offers 21 private offices, an executive boardroom, a state-of-the-art server room, and parking for 35-40 vehicles.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736545933873.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"This property represents a premium commercial opportunity in Hays," says Braden McCurdy, CEO and Auctioneer. "With its strategic location, modern security features, and recent updates, this property is an exceptional investment for businesses seeking a turnkey corporate facility."&nbsp;Notable features include multiple executive suites, a kitchen with granite and stainless appliances, seven climate-controlled zones with several Nest thermostats, and a concrete pad plumbed for backup generator installation. The well-maintained property showcases meticulous landscaping and a shaded back patio area.&nbsp;This office building is up for auction with online-only bidding beginning on February 4th and ending on February 12th. For more information, photos, and the terms and conditions for bidding, please visit McCurdy.com/10368&nbsp;

Sponsored: PRIME COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN HAYS, KS SET FOR ONLINE AUCTION

This is the third in a four-part series on the life and death of Hays resident Karen Schumacher, who died at the hands of her husband in 2022.

Part 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f6fb5eb0-494c-4518-992a-6bffdf7c38c9">A Voice for Karen: Living behind a curtain of silence</a> Part 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/83db8380-36ef-4fae-998f-19d47159e964">A Voice for Karen: Leaving and going back</a>

On March 21, 2022, an employee told Kayci Schumacher police officers and an ambulance were at her mother-in-law, Karen Schumacher, and father-in-law, Jay Schumacher's, home in Hays.

Jeremiah, Karen's son, tried to call his dad, Jay, but he didn’t answer.&nbsp;

“As I pulled up, I looked at the officer and asked, ‘Is my mom dead?’” Jeremiah said.

Jeremiah was directed to Hays Medical Center. His father was already in custody and was being questioned by police.

"I got to the hospital and got questioned by the detective for what seemed like an eternity. I bet you it was a solid hour or so before I was ever able to see what was going on with my mom," Jeremiah said.

Jeremiah, as well as the autopsy report, said Karen had multiple cuts and bruises across her face and body. She appeared to have been punched or kicked in the teeth, Jeremiah said, adding she appeared to be bruised from head to toe.

"I went back to see her getting worked on. The doctor said she was not good. I said, 'Is she going to make it?' He said, 'It's bad. She's not in a good place.'"

His mother died at 9:03 a.m. the following day.

“I hate to say it, but I kind of expected it,” Jeremiah said.

"That was one thing that mom always said. 'If I die in a weird way, look around because I have things to implicate your dad hidden throughout the house,'" he said.

During the police interrogation of Jay, which was shown during his preliminary hearing, he said, "I didn't hit her any harder than I usually do," and he whipped his hand through the air.

He also commented that his wife was going to die anyway, alluding to her diminished mental capacity.

Jay N. Schumacher was initially charged with first-degree murder.&nbsp;

The day that Karen died was not an ending. It was the start of grief and court battles that continue more than two years after her death.

Jeremiah was not initially allowed, as Karen’s son and only child, to take custody of her remains.

“He wouldn’t let me take her and have her cremated like she wanted,” Jeremiah said.&nbsp;

Jay wanted his sister to handle Karen's funeral arrangements. "I said, 'No! That's my mom,'" Jeremiah said.

A battle over his mother’s estate also ensued. Jay would have inherited all of Karen’s half of the couple’s assets.&nbsp;

The Kansas Slayer Law prohibits people convicted of feloniously killing another person from inheriting or taking any part of the deceased's estate.

However, Jay had yet to be convicted of his wife’s murder. This left him free to disperse or dispose of the couple’s assets to support his defense.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2f905806-4881-4d91-b175-a5b9c4145f86">“Karen’s Law,” which was signed into law in spring 2023,</a> closed the loophole in the Kansas probate law, making it unlawful for anyone charged with killing someone to benefit from their estate.

Sadly, this bill did not benefit Jeremiah Schumacher, as the law was not retroactive.

Jeremiah filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Jay for $10,000 in reimbursement for his mother’s funeral expenses and $250,000 in non-economic damages in connection to his mother’s death.

That case is in mediation and is scheduled for a status conference on Feb 11.

The emotional toll on Karen’s family and friends is impossible to put a price tag on.

After his mother's death, Jeremiah, an outwardly tough guy who works in construction, retreated to his room, his oldest two children said.

“It has been the hardest on him,” Ella said of her dad, “because it happened to him too. He had to live through it.”

Ella, 16, and Ben, 19, the oldest of Karen’s grandchildren were interviewed by the Hays Post with the permission of their parents.&nbsp;

Both of the children said Jay’s arrest made them the target of bullies and unwanted attention.

Ben said it was difficult to carry the Schumacher name. He went to the gym, and the other guys taunted him.

Ella said her classmates watched the court hearings via Zoom on their iPads during class at school.

“‘Don’t you know this is Ella’s grandpa,’” Ella said, her classmates taunted.

“Not good,” she said. “It’s not like I wanted to be related to that.”

Ella said her peers focused on Karen's death and not her grandmother as a person.

"They only talked about the fact that she died and the fact that happened and not how she felt through their entire relationship," Ella said, "and how scared she probably was and what was going on in her head."

Because of the family's strained relationship, Ben and Ella said they didn't have much time to spend with their grandmother.

“I will just randomly think about it a lot and get super sad about it,” Ella said. “I just wish I would have known her more. He took that away from us. We never got to know her because of Jay.”

She added, “I just want her to be remembered in a good way by people, not for what she was known as after it happened.”

&nbsp;Jeremiah and Kayci's youngest children are 4-year-old twins. They will never get to know their grandmother in life.

However, Kayci said in some ways they know her more than the other grandchildren through the positive stories they have been told about her.

Jeremiah related how he wanted his mother to be remembered.

“As the fun, loving person she was with the outgoing smile and that hideous cackle that I miss,” Jeremiah said of her laugh.

Scarlett Deutscher, her good friend, said she felt years of friendship were stolen from her.

“That was what we were supposed to do when we got older. Her and I were supposed to do old-lady trips or follow the grandkids, you know, spend time together. That’s been taken away,” she said.

Deutscher wants Karen's legacy to be one of love.

“I would just let [the grandkids] know that I know she loved them,"&nbsp;Deutscher said. "She wished she could spend more time with them. She would, just like me, spoil the grandkids and let them know she loved them, and she would do anything for them to protect them to love on them.

“I want her grandkids to know that Karen was a great lady, the best friend that anyone could have. She would do anything for anybody. She loved hard on everybody.”&nbsp;

Today is Karen's birthday. She would have been 63.

Editor's note: Scarlett Deutscher is an employee of Eagle Media, which is the parent company of the Hays Post.

If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, you can receive help in a variety of ways. You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby.&nbsp; You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.

The website has a safe escape button that allows you to quickly close out of the website and erase your cookies, so anyone who is on the computer after you will not be able to see that you have been on the website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732649972148.jpeg" alt="Graphics and video by Jordan Schaffer" />
 <figcaption>Graphics and video by Jordan Schaffer</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the third in a four-part series on the life and death of Hays resident Karen Schumacher, who died at the hands of her husband in 2022.Part 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f6fb5eb0-494c-4518-992a-6bffdf7c38c9">A Voice for Karen: Living behind a curtain of silence</a> Part 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/83db8380-36ef-4fae-998f-19d47159e964">A Voice for Karen: Leaving and going back</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3af7a093-f0d8-4c2e-a1e3-4a31be6c0e7e">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays man who killed wife sentenced to 10 years in prison</a><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/277704cd-f369-48f7-bfca-bdbdba1e8959">If you are a victim of domestic violence, find help here</a><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZosTLeq63_w?si=GIkSVQQ9In8Wkpym" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostOn March 21, 2022, an employee told Kayci Schumacher police officers and an ambulance were at her mother-in-law, Karen Schumacher, and father-in-law, Jay Schumacher's, home in Hays.Kayci contacted her husband immediately.Jeremiah, Karen's son, tried to call his dad, Jay, but he didn’t answer.&nbsp;“As I pulled up, I looked at the officer and asked, ‘Is my mom dead?’” Jeremiah said.Jeremiah was directed to Hays Medical Center. His father was already in custody and was being questioned by police."I got to the hospital and got questioned by the detective for what seemed like an eternity. I bet you it was a solid hour or so before I was ever able to see what was going on with my mom," Jeremiah said.Jeremiah, as well as the autopsy report, said Karen had multiple cuts and bruises across her face and body. She appeared to have been punched or kicked in the teeth, Jeremiah said, adding she appeared to be bruised from head to toe."I went back to see her getting worked on. The doctor said she was not good. I said, 'Is she going to make it?' He said, 'It's bad. She's not in a good place.'"His mother died at 9:03 a.m. the following day.“I hate to say it, but I kind of expected it,” Jeremiah said."That was one thing that mom always said. 'If I die in a weird way, look around because I have things to implicate your dad hidden throughout the house,'" he said.During the police interrogation of Jay, which was shown during his preliminary hearing, he said, "I didn't hit her any harder than I usually do," and he whipped his hand through the air.He also commented that his wife was going to die anyway, alluding to her diminished mental capacity.Jay N. Schumacher was initially charged with first-degree murder.&nbsp;The day that Karen died was not an ending. It was the start of grief and court battles that continue more than two years after her death.Jeremiah was not initially allowed, as Karen’s son and only child, to take custody of her remains.“He wouldn’t let me take her and have her cremated like she wanted,” Jeremiah said.&nbsp;Jay wanted his sister to handle Karen's funeral arrangements. "I said, 'No! That's my mom,'" Jeremiah said.<h2>Karen's Law</h2>A battle over his mother’s estate also ensued. Jay would have inherited all of Karen’s half of the couple’s assets.&nbsp;The Kansas Slayer Law prohibits people convicted of feloniously killing another person from inheriting or taking any part of the deceased's estate.However, Jay had yet to be convicted of his wife’s murder. This left him free to disperse or dispose of the couple’s assets to support his defense.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2f905806-4881-4d91-b175-a5b9c4145f86">“Karen’s Law,” which was signed into law in spring 2023,</a> closed the loophole in the Kansas probate law, making it unlawful for anyone charged with killing someone to benefit from their estate.Sadly, this bill did not benefit Jeremiah Schumacher, as the law was not retroactive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732119655509.png" alt="Jeremiah Schumacher testifies before members of the Kansas House in support of Karen's Law. (Screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Jeremiah Schumacher testifies before members of the Kansas House in support of Karen's Law. (Screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jeremiah filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Jay for $10,000 in reimbursement for his mother’s funeral expenses and $250,000 in non-economic damages in connection to his mother’s death.That case is in mediation and is scheduled for a status conference on Feb 11.The emotional toll on Karen’s family and friends is impossible to put a price tag on.After his mother's death, Jeremiah, an outwardly tough guy who works in construction, retreated to his room, his oldest two children said.“It has been the hardest on him,” Ella said of her dad, “because it happened to him too. He had to live through it.”<h2>Carrying the Schumacher name</h2>Ella, 16, and Ben, 19, the oldest of Karen’s grandchildren were interviewed by the Hays Post with the permission of their parents.&nbsp;Both of the children said Jay’s arrest made them the target of bullies and unwanted attention.Ben said it was difficult to carry the Schumacher name. He went to the gym, and the other guys taunted him.Ella said her classmates watched the court hearings via Zoom on their iPads during class at school.“‘Don’t you know this is Ella’s grandpa,’” Ella said, her classmates taunted.“Not good,” she said. “It’s not like I wanted to be related to that.”Ella said her peers focused on Karen's death and not her grandmother as a person."They only talked about the fact that she died and the fact that happened and not how she felt through their entire relationship," Ella said, "and how scared she probably was and what was going on in her head."Because of the family's strained relationship, Ben and Ella said they didn't have much time to spend with their grandmother.“I will just randomly think about it a lot and get super sad about it,” Ella said. “I just wish I would have known her more. He took that away from us. We never got to know her because of Jay.”She added, “I just want her to be remembered in a good way by people, not for what she was known as after it happened.”<h2>Remembering Karen</h2>&nbsp;Jeremiah and Kayci's youngest children are 4-year-old twins. They will never get to know their grandmother in life.However, Kayci said in some ways they know her more than the other grandchildren through the positive stories they have been told about her.Jeremiah related how he wanted his mother to be remembered.“As the fun, loving person she was with the outgoing smile and that hideous cackle that I miss,” Jeremiah said of her laugh.Scarlett Deutscher, her good friend, said she felt years of friendship were stolen from her.“That was what we were supposed to do when we got older. Her and I were supposed to do old-lady trips or follow the grandkids, you know, spend time together. That’s been taken away,” she said.Deutscher wants Karen's legacy to be one of love.“I would just let [the grandkids] know that I know she loved them,"&nbsp;Deutscher said. "She wished she could spend more time with them. She would, just like me, spoil the grandkids and let them know she loved them, and she would do anything for them to protect them to love on them.“I want her grandkids to know that Karen was a great lady, the best friend that anyone could have. She would do anything for anybody. She loved hard on everybody.”&nbsp;Today is Karen's birthday. She would have been 63.Editor's note: Scarlett Deutscher is an employee of Eagle Media, which is the parent company of the Hays Post.<h2>How to get help</h2>If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, you can receive help in a variety of ways. You can walk into an Options office at 2716 Plaza, Hays, or&nbsp;1480 W. Fourth, Colby.&nbsp; You can call Options' 24-hour helpline at 1-800-794-4624 or text HOPE to 847411.The Options website,&nbsp;<a href="https://help4abuse.org/">https://help4abuse.org/</a>, offers a live chat option or video conference with an advocate.The website has a safe escape button that allows you to quickly close out of the website and erase your cookies, so anyone who is on the computer after you will not be able to see that you have been on the website.Options has a free app for Android and Apple devices called "My Mobile Options."

A Voice for Karen: He took her away from us

If you are a victim of domestic violence, find help here

Get ready for a day of discovery and excitement as the Kansas Science Festival takes over downtown Hays on Sunday, May 4, 2025!

 This free, family-friendly event promises an unforgettable experience with interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) booths, hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage with researchers and community science practitioners from across Kansas.

Explore how science shapes our everyday lives and get inspired by researchers from diverse fields as they share their work in a fun and accessible way. Whether you're a K-12 student, parent, or lifelong learner, there will be something for everyone!

● Interactive STEM Booths: Perfect for families with kids of all ages.

● Meet-the-Experts: Chat with researchers at all career stages and learn about their exciting discoveries.

● Hands-On Fun: Dive into engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

Mark your calendars, stay tuned for more updates, and prepare to celebrate the wonders of STEM on May 4, 2025 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information, visit <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/hays/">https://sciencefestks.org/hays/</a>. You may also follow us and the partnering organizations on social media.

RAISE Kansas - <a href="https://raiseks.org/">https://www.raiseks.org</a>

STEM Harvest - <a href="https://stemharvest.org/">https://stemharvest.org</a>

Hays Public Library - <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">https://hayslibrary.org/</a>

Fort Hays State Science and Mathematics Education Institute - <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/smei/">https://www.fhsu.edu/smei/</a>

TreeTop Security - <a href="https://www.treetopsecurity.com/">https://treetopsecurity.com</a>

K-State Research &amp; Extension Office - <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/">https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/</a>

The Kansas Science Festival is actively seeking sponsors and presenters to help make this event a success. If you're passionate about sharing your love for science and STEM, or if your organization wants to support this event, we’d love to hear from you! 

Please go to <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/hays/">https://sciencefestks.org/hays/</a> and fill out the Google form to register as a presenter. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Lindsay Schmidt at LASCHMIDT7@FHSU.EDU or visit the Kansas Science Fest website for more details.

The Kansas Science Festival is dedicated to fostering a love for science and exploration through interactive events that connect communities, researchers, and educators. Our mission is to inspire curiosity, encourage lifelong learning, and highlight the role of science in our daily lives. <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/">https://sciencefestks.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736441906153.jpeg" alt="The Kansas Science Festival will be held in downtown Hays on Sunday, May 4. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Science Festival will be held in downtown Hays on Sunday, May 4. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedGet ready for a day of discovery and excitement as the Kansas Science Festival takes over downtown Hays on Sunday, May 4, 2025! This free, family-friendly event promises an unforgettable experience with interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) booths, hands-on activities, and opportunities to engage with researchers and community science practitioners from across Kansas.Explore how science shapes our everyday lives and get inspired by researchers from diverse fields as they share their work in a fun and accessible way. Whether you're a K-12 student, parent, or lifelong learner, there will be something for everyone!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736442659167.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Highlights of the event include:● Interactive STEM Booths: Perfect for families with kids of all ages.● Meet-the-Experts: Chat with researchers at all career stages and learn about their exciting discoveries.● Hands-On Fun: Dive into engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.Mark your calendars, stay tuned for more updates, and prepare to celebrate the wonders of STEM on May 4, 2025 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.For more information, visit <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/hays/">https://sciencefestks.org/hays/</a>. You may also follow us and the partnering organizations on social media.Event PartnersRAISE Kansas - <a href="https://raiseks.org/">https://www.raiseks.org</a>STEM Harvest - <a href="https://stemharvest.org/">https://stemharvest.org</a>Hays Public Library - <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">https://hayslibrary.org/</a>Fort Hays State Science and Mathematics Education Institute - <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/smei/">https://www.fhsu.edu/smei/</a>TreeTop Security - <a href="https://www.treetopsecurity.com/">https://treetopsecurity.com</a>K-State Research &amp; Extension Office - <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/">https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736442476745.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Call for Sponsors and PresentersThe Kansas Science Festival is actively seeking sponsors and presenters to help make this event a success. If you're passionate about sharing your love for science and STEM, or if your organization wants to support this event, we’d love to hear from you! Please go to <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/hays/">https://sciencefestks.org/hays/</a> and fill out the Google form to register as a presenter. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Lindsay Schmidt at LASCHMIDT7@FHSU.EDU or visit the Kansas Science Fest website for more details.About the Kansas Science FestivalThe Kansas Science Festival is dedicated to fostering a love for science and exploration through interactive events that connect communities, researchers, and educators. Our mission is to inspire curiosity, encourage lifelong learning, and highlight the role of science in our daily lives. <a href="https://sciencefestks.org/">https://sciencefestks.org</a>.

Kansas Science Festival coming to downtown Hays in May

Randy L. Irwin, 68, of Hays, died Thursday, January 9, 2025
at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

He was born April 25, 1956 in Russell, the son of Riley and
Doris (Williamson) Irwin.&nbsp; In 1975, Randy
graduated from Gorham High School, and on September 24, 1976 he was united in
marriage to Marlene A. Bieker in Hays, celebrating 48 years of marriage.&nbsp; He worked as a sales manager at Schwan’s, owned
and operated Irwin Painting, was a permit agent at Lockhart Geophysical, a salesman
at Sysco Foods, and crew supervisor at Roofmasters Roofing.&nbsp; He was a member of Hays Family Worship Center,
loved his family, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed collecting guns
and playing poker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736657305325.jpeg" alt="Randy L. Irwin" />
 <figcaption>Randy L. Irwin</figcaption>
 </figure>Randy L. Irwin, 68, of Hays, died Thursday, January 9, 2025
at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.He was born April 25, 1956 in Russell, the son of Riley and
Doris (Williamson) Irwin.&nbsp; In 1975, Randy
graduated from Gorham High School, and on September 24, 1976 he was united in
marriage to Marlene A. Bieker in Hays, celebrating 48 years of marriage.&nbsp; He worked as a sales manager at Schwan’s, owned
and operated Irwin Painting, was a permit agent at Lockhart Geophysical, a salesman
at Sysco Foods, and crew supervisor at Roofmasters Roofing.&nbsp; He was a member of Hays Family Worship Center,
loved his family, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed collecting guns
and playing poker.Survivors include his wife Marlene of Hays, three sons,
Andrew Irwin and wife Lori of Richmond, KY, Matthew Irwin and wife Natalie of
Centennial, CO, and Lee Irwin and wife Emily of Raymore, MO, three brothers,
Craig Irwin and wife Melissa of Hays, Troy Irwin of Salina, and Darren Irwin
and wife Pam of Bennington, ten grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Danny
Irwin.Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, January
25, 2025 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Darrell Sutton
officiating.&nbsp; The family will receive
friends from 9:30 am until service time.&nbsp;
Memorials are suggested to DSNWK or to a charity of your choosing in
Randy’s name.&nbsp; Condolences and memories
of Randy may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com