Topeka murderer sentenced to at least 70 years in prison
Convicted murderer Caleb Horton, 24, was sentenced June 17 in Shawnee County District Court in Topeka to serve at least 70 years, six months in prison.
Court records show Judge Brett Watson sentenced Horton to the following terms to run consecutively on convictions a jury rendered April 3 regarding the Sept. 6, 2024, gunshot killing of Michael Sanchez, 47, in the 1300 block of SW Western Avenue:
- Life in prison, with no possibility of parole for 51 years, six months, for first-degree murder in the commission of an inherently dangerous felony.
- 19 years for the criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.
"As a result, Horton must serve at least 846 months, or 70 years and six months, before he is eligible for release," District Attorney Mike Kagay said in a news release.
Horton was additionally convicted April 3 of intentional second-degree murder. That conviction was merged into his first-degree murder conviction, court records said.
Horton's first trial in case ended in mistrial
The case was investigated by Topeka police and prosecuted by Will Manly and Lauren Amrein, deputy district attorneys, Kagay said.
Horton's first trial in the killing of Sanchez ended in a mistrial on Nov. 10, 2025, court records said.
Horton's sentencing for first-degree murder was not governed by standard Kansas sentencing guidelines because penalties for first-degree murder are not outlined on the state's standard sentencing grid.
The state instead defines first-degree murder as being an "off-grid" person felony under a separate statutory scheme that mandates life imprisonment, with varying parole eligibility.
Horton had previously pleaded guilty in unrelated cases to aggravated battery, domestic battery and criminal damage to property, Capital-Journal archives show.
Contact Tim Hrenchir at 785-213-5934 or threnchir@gann
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka murderer sentenced to at least 70 years in prison
Reporting by Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal / Topeka Capital-Journal
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 4:07 AM.