Death penalty decision pending in alleged hate crime killing at Olathe bar

Federal prosecutors want more time to decide if the death penalty will be sought for the alleged hate crime killing of an Indian man in Olathe.

Adam W. Purinton is facing state murder charges in Johnson County and federal hate crime charges in the February 2017 killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the wounding of two other men at Austins Bar & Grill.

Purinton, 52, was charged first in Johnson County, and that case is proceeding first. He faces a sentence of life in prison if convicted.

But the federal hate crime case carries a potential death sentence.

That decision rests with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and last summer a judge stayed the federal case to allow the attorney general time to consider factors in the case and make a decision.

Prosecutors say that the process is ongoing, but is not yet complete.

They are seeking an additional stay of 90 days and said that attorneys for Purinton do not object.

He is being held in the Johnson County Detention Center and has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

His next Johnson County court appearance is scheduled for May 8.

According to previously filed court documents, Kuchibhotla and another Indian man who worked with him at Garmin were at the bar when Purinton allegedly began making derogatory remarks.

He was told to leave by bar management, but returned a short time later with a gun and shot Kuchibhotla and his friend, according to the allegations.

A third man who tried to intervene was also wounded.

This story was originally published January 22, 2018 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Death penalty decision pending in alleged hate crime killing at Olathe bar."