A 25-year-old homeless man in Kansas was formally charged on Thursday with murder and rape in connection with the tragic killing of a 5-year-old girl, Zoey Felix, earlier this week.
A 25-year-old homeless man was charged Thursday with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas. Mickel Cherry faces one count each of capital murder, first-degree murder and rape in the death of Zoey Felix on Monday. He was jailed in Topeka on a $2 million bond and his next court appearance has not yet been determined. Mark Manna, of the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit, said his office would represent Cherry, but that he had no further comment.
Authorities have released no details about the cause of Zoey's death. Timothy Phelps, deputy director of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, confirmed that Cherry used to live at the same address as Zoey, but at the time of his arrest, Cherry was homeless. Cherry has no criminal record in Kansas but he does have a misdemeanor criminal trespass conviction in Amarillo, Texas.
City spokeswoman Gretchen Spiker said in an email that during the first call officers confirmed there was no electricity and that they were told the child wasn't staying there. Police met with the child, saw she was in 'good spirits' but still made a report to child welfare and property officials, Spiker said. The city moved to condemn the house but backed off when the utilities were turned back on.
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A homeless man is charged with capital murder and rape in the death of a 5-year-old Kansas girlA homeless man has been charged with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas. Mickel Cherry faces one count each of capital murder, first-degree murder and rape in the death of Zoey Felix. The 25-year-old man is jailed in Topeka on a $2 million bond. Mark Manna, of the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit, says a team of attorneys in his office will handle Cherry's defense. Manna had no further comment. Cherry’s family hasn't responded to messages. A capital murder charge would allow prosecutors to seek the death penally. Shawnee County prosecutor Michael Kagay hasn't responded to an email from The Associated Press asking about his plans.
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A homeless man is charged with capital murder and rape in the death of a 5-year-old Kansas girlA homeless man has been charged with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas
Read more »
A homeless man is charged with capital murder and rape in the death of a 5-year-old Kansas girlA homeless man has been charged with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas.
Read more »
A homeless man is charged with capital murder and rape in the death of a 5-year-old Kansas girlA homeless man has been charged with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas.
Read more »
Homeless man charged with capital murder and rape in death of a 5-year-old girlA homeless man has been charged with murder and rape in the killing of a 5-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas
Read more »