Olathe teen originally charged with felony murder pleads guilty to lesser charges
An Olathe teenager who was charged with felony murder has pleaded guilty to lesser charges, the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Jordan A. Denny pleaded guilty to attempted possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, interference and use of a telecommunication device during a drug felony.
She will be sentenced Feb. 20.
On March 29, 2019, Rowan Padgett died in Olathe. The 17-year-old was shot during a drug deal involving Xanax.
Denny, who was 16 at the time, and co-defendant Rolland Kobelo were charged with felony murder in juvenile court.
Felony murder is a doctrine that exists in 42 states, including Kansas and Missouri. It allows someone to be charged with murder if a death occurs while they are committing another inherently dangerous felony.
Kobelo was accused of helping set up the drug deal that lead to Padgett’s death and telling Bibee to rob Padgett.
Kobelo pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and distribution of Xanax, and was sentenced to more than four years in a juvenile corrections facility.
Prosecutors allege Matthew Lee Bibee Jr., 19, shot Paggett. Bibee is charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery and other offenses. A jury trial is scheduled to start Sept. 14.
