LARNED — Jacob Ohnmacht, 27, of Larned, has been charged with second-degree murder and other felonies in connection with the death of his wife last December. He appeared in Pawnee County District Court Friday afternoon, June 23, before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell on a five-count criminal complaint filed earlier in the day by County Attorney Douglas McNett.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek into the death of Ohnmacht’s wife, Kayla Parret, on the evening of Dec. 12, 2016, at their residence in rural Pawnee County.
The arrest warrant and a copy of the criminal complaint were served by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department without incident just prior to the court appearance. Ohmacht was already in the sheriff’s custody on unrelated charges.
Judge Cowell advised the defendant of the charges: one count of intentional murder in the second degree, three counts of felony interference of law enforcement and one count of misdemeanor interference of law enforcement.
He was advised of the possible penalties if convicted and his constitutional rights, including his right to counsel. If convicted, under the Kansas sentencing guidelines the defendant faces between a minimum of 12 years to a maximum of more than 50 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.
Following the first appearance, Ohnmacht was transferred to the Ford County Detention Center with bond set at $100,000 cash or surety. In the event the defendant posts bond, Judge Cowell advised he is not to have any contact, directly or indirectly, with the victim’s family.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 3 p.m. on July 6.