Hoeme wins murder charge dismissal in Ashley Pearson boyfriend-stabbing case
Sumner County judge grants Pearson full immunity in Kansas stand-your-ground case
August 11, 2023
WICHITA, Kan. — Thanks to the effective defense counsel of Jess Hoeme, Kansas mother Ashley Pearson was permanently cleared of all criminal charges in the 2018 fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, Kyle Hill. After more than four years of investigation and hearings, Sumner County District Court Judge William Mott dismissed the charges in a stand-your-ground hearing on Monday, August 7, 2023. In light of eyewitness testimony and Hoeme’s arguments, Mott was fully persuaded that Pearson was acting in defense of herself and her child.
The judge stated in his closing judgment:
The evidence I heard today [is] that Mr. Hill no doubt had a reputation for violence amongst family. He had beaten his girlfriend savagely on several occasions. He has beaten his mother. He has beaten his grandmother… With all the beating these women have endured at the hands of him, the question was whether or not the use of force became objectively reasonable.
Of course it was. Not only was it objectively reasonable, but it would have been objectively unreasonable to not do anything. Mr. Hill had entered that vortex of violence that night much like he repeatedly had done throughout a lot of his life. (Pearson) wasn’t prepared to do it. This is an easy decision to make – the defense’s motion for immunity has been granted.
The moment the judge concluded, Pearson wept with relief as her family and attorney came to embrace her. The fight was finally over. As Hoeme told reporters, “Justice was served.”
Hoeme had been appointed to represent Pearson in August of 2022.
Watch video footage of the hearing and follow-up interviews at CourtTV.com.
About Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC
Joseph, Hollander & Craft is a mid-size law firm representing criminal defense, civil defense, personal injury, and family law clients throughout Kansas and Missouri. From our offices in Kansas City, Lawrence, Overland Park, Topeka and Wichita, our team of 25 attorneys covers a lot of ground, both geographically and professionally.
We defend against life-changing criminal prosecutions. We protect children and property in divorce cases. We pursue relief for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one due to the negligence of others. We fight allegations of professional misconduct against medical and legal practitioners, accountants, real estate agents, and others.
When your business, freedom, property, or career is at stake, you want the attorney standing beside you to be skilled, prepared, and relentless — Ready for Anything, come what may. At JHC, we pride ourselves on offering outstanding legal counsel and representation with the personal attention and professionalism our clients deserve. Learn more about our attorneys and their areas of practice, and locate a JHC office near you.