A Kansas appeals court has ruled that a
Garden City man can be tried for first-degree murder in a 2011
stabbing death.
The suspect, 32-year-old Fred Schmidt Jr., is a suspect in the
March 2011 death of 25-year-old Jeffrey Nichols.
Prosecutors have said Nichols died from 45 separate stab wounds
after allegedly fighting with Schmidt.
A Finney County judge previously ruled that there was not enough
evidence to bind Schmidt over on a first-degree murder charge, but
said he could be tried on second-degree murder.
But the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Schmidt can be
tried for first-degree murder.
Schmidt has claimed he stabbed Nichols in self-defense after
Nichols attacked him.
