Wichitan sentenced in man’s death says he was high on meth during police interrogation

A Wichita man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison in connection with another man’s death last year. But his defense attorney argued that evidence from the man’s police interrogation should be suppressed, saying he was high on methamphetamine.

Bryce Alan Martin, 31, was sentenced Wednesday to 246 months in state prison after previously pleading guilty to aggravated battery and possessing meth with intent to distribute. The conviction was in connection to the May 2, 2018, death of 41-year-old Jacob Healzer, of Wichita.

“Healzer had been severely beaten,” District Attorney Marc Bennett said in a news release announcing the sentence. “The victims’ injuries included multiple fractures of the face including the orbital sockets and nasal bones, as well as a fracture of the hyoid bone in the neck.”

The coroner ruled his death a homicide but said in an autopsy report that he died of meth intoxication. Contributing factors included blunt force trauma to the head and neck and heart disease.

Martin’s defense attorney has filed a notice of appeal.

The guilty plea came after the a Sedgwick County District Court judge denied a motion to suppress evidence.

Court documents show the defense argued that Martin was high on meth at the time he was interrogated by police. He was passed out on the interrogation room table when the detective entered the room, and he was unconscious or fell asleep as police asked questions and tried to get him to stand and open his eyes for photos.

“Martin maintains that his statements were obtained through exploitation of his intoxicated state,” defense attorney Mark Schoenhofer wrote in court documents. “All statements should therefore be suppressed.”

Prosecutors argued that during the interrogation, Martin denied drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs earlier in the day. He later said and initialed that he understood he was waiving his Miranda rights. The prosecution claimed Martin “was able to easily converse with detectives and gave appropriate answers to questions during the interview.”

“Even if the defendant was under the influence in this case, it does not mean that his statements are automatically suppressed,” Assistant District Attorney Robin Sommer wrote in court documents. “... there is competent evidence to show that the defendant’s statements were freely and voluntarily given.”