Olathe man guilty in attempted murder of firefighters

A Johnson County jury convicted a 59-year-old Olathe man Friday of setting a house fire last year and attempting to kill responding emergency workers.

Sentencing is set for May 1 for William J. Outhet Jr. on convictions of attempted first-degree murder and arson.

Firefighters and police officers responding to the Feb. 1, 2013, fire at a residence in the 1400 block of Martway Drive were greeted by several loud booming sounds coming from the structure.

Prosecutors alleged that Outhet fired shots as the responders arrived.

Firefighters who entered the burning home found Outhet unconscious with a shotgun across his chest. They also discovered a number of firearms that prosecutors alleged had been “staged” in different parts of the house.

Investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set.

This story was originally published March 7, 2014 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Olathe man guilty in attempted murder of firefighters."