A Labette County judge this week ordered a Parsons man to stand trial for murder and attempted murder.
Michael C. Morales, 48, 2314 Appleton, is charged in Labette County District Court with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and interference with a law officer. The murder charge could lead to life in prison upon conviction.
Morales is accused of shooting and killing Maurice Harper, 53, and wounding Tylor Abshere.
The shooting happened late Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in and outside a home on Appleton, according to testimony at a preliminary hearing in the case. Officers reported that Harper and Abshere each suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Harper later died at Labette Health.
Cpl. Rory Johnson rendered first aid when he heard a male voice asking him to help the gunshot victims and that he had shot them. The male, identified as Morales, stepped from behind a tree with a gun in hand. Johnson talked Morales into dropping the weapon, but while attempting to place Morales in custody Morales tried to run. He was quickly apprehended with the use of a Taser, according to a police release at the time.
A detective testified that he recovered nine shell casings, .380 caliber, inside the living room of Morales’ home. He also found blood evidence.
Abshere testified that surgeons pulled 10 bullets from his body and he removed an 11th himself.
Morales told police he shot the two men but he claimed self-defense. His attorney filed a motion seeking dismissal of the case because of this. Judge Steven A. Stockard denied the request after hearing evidence during the two times when evidence was heard, including testimony from the doctor who performed the autopsy on Harper.
Stockard also ordered Morales to stand trial on all three charges. Morales pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A hearing on pretrial motions is set for March 11. The five-day jury trial will start March 31 and end. April 4.
Morales remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.
