Man sentenced for Wichita motel killing where victim was targeted for robbery

A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for killing a Wichita man during a robbery at a north-side motel last year.

Kevin L. Harris pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the Aug. 21, 2023, shooting death of 50-year-old Jose Lumbreras Sr. at the Auto Motel, 1230 N. Broadway in Wichita. Court records say Harris targeted Lumbreras because he carried cash and that the robbery was a set up, part of a plan to recoup money from a woman who had stolen some drugs that Harris was selling. The woman also knew Lumbreras and told Harris he could get enough money to pay off her debt by robbing him.

Harris told police he shot Lumbreras three times after Lumbreras lunged at him when he entered a motel room with a gun, court records say. Lumbreras died after stumbling out to the motel parking lot. His wallet was missing.

Authorities later arrested Harris in Lawrence, his hometown.

Harris was sentenced by Sedgwick County District Judge Jeffrey Goering on Sept. 12. Originally, prosecutors charged Harris with first-degree premeditated murder but amended the count to voluntary manslaughter when he pleaded on April 9.

Kevin Harris cuts off ankle monitor, skips hearing

Last week's sentencing hearing wasn't the first one Harris was due to attend in the case. Wichita police put out a public call for help finding Harris last month after he cut off an ankle monitor and skipped his Aug. 14 sentencing hearing. At the time, his defense attorney told the judge someone had dropped Harris off at the Sedgwick County Courthouse but he removed the monitoring device and disappeared instead of going inside.

Authorities found and arrested Harris in Topeka a week later. He is facing a new charge of unlawful tampering with electronic monitoring equipment for the stunt, court records show.

Harris' plea agreement had called for the judge to sentence him to about 17 years in prison. But Sedgwick County Assistant District Attorney Robert Short last week asked Goering to impose 19 years instead, saying Harris had "used up any good will he had with the state and the court."

Harris' lawyers, meanwhile, wanted the judge to follow the sentencing recommendations laid out in the plea agreement. Harris made no request for leniency and offered no explanation for his flight or apology to the victim's family when the judge gave him a chance to speak on his own behalf.

Court hears from victim's family

Lumbreras' son, Jose Lumbreras Jr., was frustrated Harris was ever let out of jail. Over a video link broadcast into the courtroom, he told the judge he was on active orders for the military and that Harris "has been given more freedom as a murderer than I have serving my country."

"Here I am fighting for my country wondering if I will get justice for my family," he said.

His sister, Aracely Lumbreras, said she felt nothing but hate for Harris for taking her father away from their family. He was a wonderful, loving father who won't get to share any more birthdays or Father's Days with his children because of Harris' crimes, she said.

In an interview with The Eagle after his death, Lumbreras' family said he was a native of Mexico who moved to Wichita as a teen and later became a U.S. citizen, worked in construction and was a cowboy who enjoyed helping relatives with home projects and having a beer with friends.

"I will never get to celebrate another year of my dad's life because of you," Aracely Lumbreras told Harris, sobbing. "... I hope prison gives you what you deserve."

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