Crime & Courts

Valley Center man charged with murder in shooting of brother

Michael Phillips has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his brother James Rotramel.
Michael Phillips has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his brother James Rotramel. File photo

A Valley Center man was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his brother.

Michael Phillips, 36, is accused of fatally shooting James Rotramel, 22, early Sunday at a house in the 8300 block of North 94th Street West, which is a few miles west of Valley Center.

Rotramel was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting was reported. A second man, Kristopher Hooper, 20, was taken to a Wichita hospital with a gunshot wound.

Phillips was charged in Sedgwick County District Court with first-degree murder and aggravated battery. His preliminary hearing is set for March 1. His bond is set at $100,000.

Stan Finger: 316-268-6437, @StanFinger

This story was originally published February 15, 2017 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Valley Center man charged with murder in shooting of brother."

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