Teen, 17, charged with murder in Ida double homicide; Man, 19, held on probation allegation

A 17-year-old arrested in the killings of a Wichita couple has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated robbery, court records show.

As of now, he is being charged as a juvenile; he will turn 18 in January, records show.

His mother and aunt defended him Friday after the murder charges became public, saying he is not a killer.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old who was also arrested in the killings of Godofredo and Martha Moreno is being held in jail on a warrant accusing him of violating his probation from a 2013 robbery.

The 19-year-old – who will turn 20 next month, according to records – has not been charged with the killings and is no longer being held on suspicion of murder, jail records show. The police investigation of the killings continues, District Attorney Marc Bennett said Friday.

On Oct. 16, the Morenos’ son found their bodies on a bedroom floor of their home in the 600 block of South Ida, just southeast of Kellogg and Washington. Police said they had been shot multiple times and that the motive was robbery. Godofredo Moreno was 72; Martha Moreno was 71.

An aunt of the 17-year-old said Friday night that her nephew has been in some trouble and has “had a rough life.” Still, she said, “I know in my heart, and my sister knows in her heart, that he’s not a killer.

“He’s a kid,” said the aunt, who asked that she not be named, for her safety and to shield the identity of her nephew because he is a minor.

“I feel for their family (the Morenos),” she said. “But I just want to make sure that the right person gets charged.”

The other suspect arrested in connection with the killings – the 19-year-old identified in police and court records as Steven Wade Edwards II – violated terms of his probation by being seen on a video driving the couple’s stolen Kia Sorento at 1:19 a.m. Oct. 16, between nine and 10 hours before the discovery of the couple’s bodies was reported to police, according to a warrant filed in Sedgwick County District Court on Friday.

The warrant also accuses Edwards of violating his probation by having a stolen cellphone on Oct. 16 and by admitting during an Oct. 20 interview with police that he drank half of a Bud Light on the date of the killings.

As of Friday night, jail records show, Edwards was being held on bonds totaling $500,000 for the probation-violation allegations but was no longer being held on suspicion of murder, robbery, burglary and kidnapping.

Police have said that Edwards and the 17-year-old have known each other for several years.

The robbery charge against the 17-year-old accuses him of using a handgun to rob the couple of the SUV, which police said was found on fire in a field in southwest Sedgwick County about five hours after the bodies were discovered.

Also Friday, a judge ordered the continued detention of the 17-year-old. Juvenile Court Judge Faith Maughan cited a risk that the 17-year-old might not appear in court if he is released.

During a brief hearing on whether to detain the 17-year-old until his next hearing, a prosecutor recommended that the teen be held based on the severity of the charges and the risk that he might flee based on the new allegations.

The judge found that the 17-year-old is considered dangerous to himself and others. He faces a Nov. 7 initial court appearance.

The 17-year-old began sobbing at the end of the hearing and leaned forward in shackles as his mother hugged him.

Later, his mother told The Eagle: “A cold-blooded murderer never would have cried like that.”

He didn’t commit the killings, she said, “because he doesn’t have the stomach or the heart for it. He’s never been a violent offender. I mean, I know him.”

The mother also asked not to be named, citing concerns about protecting her son’s identity.

Speaking of the Morenos, she said, “I’m very sorry for that family. My heart goes out to them … but my son didn’t do it.”

Edwards, the 19-year-old, appeared at a brief hearing later Friday afternoon on whether he had violated his probation. Judge Gregory Waller said that based on additional information provided since Thursday, there was sufficient evidence to hold Edwards, who faces another hearing Nov. 14.

Police arrested him and the 17-year-old Monday afternoon in separate locations in south Wichita, records show. Police said Edwards was living with others in the 1300 block of South Ida, seven blocks from the Morenos’ home.

This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Teen, 17, charged with murder in Ida double homicide; Man, 19, held on probation allegation."