COLUMBUS, Kan. (KOAM) — Cherokee County Attorney Kurt Benecke announced today that Kyle Lynn Butts, 45, of Independence, Mo., was sentenced in Cherokee County District Court by the Honorable Judge Maradeth Frederick for the November 28, 2022 shooting deaths of Jeremy Murphy and Craig Guinn and the attempted murder of Seth Guinn at a residence in Baxter Springs, Kan.
Following a five-day jury trial, Butts was convicted on January 9, 2026, of two counts of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, and one count of Interference with Law Enforcement.
The Court sentenced Butts to two consecutive life sentences, each carrying a mandatory minimum of 50 years before parole eligibility. He must serve a minimum of 100 years before becoming eligible for parole, followed by the sentences on remaining counts…