BonnerSprings.com

Six months after his conviction for a brutal murder, kidnapping and robbery, a Kansas City, Kan., man still awaits sentencing.

In May a jury found Robert Haberlein, 20, guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery in connection with the November 2005 murder of Robin Bell, a Tonganoxie resident and manager at the northside Dollar General in Bonner Springs.

The hearing for Haberlein’s sentencing was changed from 3 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 in Division 4 of the Wyandotte County Courthouse. The court gave no reason for the change, which is the second time since May the hearing has been rescheduled.

Bell’s daughter, Melissa Mathia, Basehor, said she’d learned the reason for the rescheduling was Haberlein’s hiring of a new attorney, Richard Payne, Kansas City, Kan., after dismissing KiAnn McBratney, his trial attorney.

“It doesn’t bother us, because he’s still in jail,” Mathia said of the most recent delay.

She said she’d been told Payne was reviewing the court transcript in order to consider whether to request a new trial for Haberlein.

Payne was contacted for this story but did not respond in time for publication.

Chris Schneider, Wyandotte County assistant district attorney, said Haberlein’s attorney would have the opportunity to argue before Judge John McNally for a new trial at the hearing.

The trial for another suspect in the case, Jim Backus, 22, Bonner Springs, is scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 12, 2009 in Division 4 before McNally.

Another suspect, Amber Russell, 18, Lenexa, will go on trial when Backus’ concludes.

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