Waddell sentenced to 27 years
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:51 p.m., April 10, 2008
Updated 01:51 p.m., April 10, 2008
A man twice convicted of raping and sexually abusing a child was ordered to serve about 27 years in prison during a sentencing hearing on Monday in Sedgwick County District Court.
Kenneth Waddell, 62, formerly of Americus, was convicted of the charges in Lyon County in 2003 and sentenced to 27 years.
The Kansas Court of Appeals granted Waddell a retrial, based on videotaped testimony from the young victim in the case. After about 50 percent of prospective jurors said they were familiear with the case, Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler granted a change of venue. The case was tried and sentenced in Sedgwick County with Wheeler, Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman, defense attorney Rick Meier and other Lyon County court staff conducting the trial.
Waddell will be given credit for prison time already served in the first conviction.