Daniel Edwards, Topeka, has been sentenced to nearly 23 years in prison for the March 2015 stabbing death of 52 year old Sharon Moody at her Junction City residence.
Earlier this year, Edwards plead guilty to one count each of second degree murder and aggravated robbery, in a plea deal that has frustrated members of the community.
Krista Blaisdell, County Attorney, said that there are many factors that go into deciding the best outcome of a case.
“This case has been pending for an [extended] period of time; and looking at a case and moving forward with a case isn’t always an easy decision as far as how a case should be handled and what direction a case should go.”
Blaisdell noted that the hardest part of the job is balancing justice for the victim, justice for the family, and the protection of the community while balancing the defendant’s rights.
With the guilty plea, as part of the plea arrangement, Edwards will not be able to appeal his conviction. If the case went to a jury trial where Edwards was found guilty of felony or 1st degree murder – a likely appeals process would prolong the case (potentially for years) and a second jury could then find him guilty of a lesser sentence. In this plea agreement, Edwards will serve the totality of his sentence.
This case did not meet the statutory qualifications for the death penalty.
Blaisdell added that she worked closely with the family of the victim, Sharon Moody, to come to the decision to offer the plea agreement.
“[We’d] like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Sharon Moody; no family should have to go through the events and the tragedy that they had to go through.”
For the many in the community, that knew Moody the sentence for Edwards was met with mixed feelings; Blaisdell said that the best interest of the community will always be at the forefront of the County Attorney’s office.
“We will continue to do our best to protect the citizens of Geary County, to promote justice within the confines of the law, and do our best to keep this community safe.”