Three Kansas Men Sentenced for 2024 Fatal Violence Cases

Several men involved in fatal crimes in Kansas and Missouri in 2024 have recently been sentenced. Christopher Johnson received 19 months for a hit-and-run that killed Tad Doyle in Wichita, plus six months for driving under the influence. In St. Louis, Derrick A. Smith was sentenced to life plus 10 years for the second-degree murder of his girlfriend, Norma Reano. Kyle S. Bearden was sentenced to life with no parole for 25 years plus over 15 additional years for the murder of Wichita woman Mariana Christian, to whom he had ties and whose body was found after she was reported missing. Bearden had pleaded guilty to multiple charges including kidnapping and aggravated robbery. These cases highlight ongoing judicial actions related to violent crimes in the region during 2024.