Kansas 2004

Sentenced to death in Sedgwick County, Kansas

By: A jury

Date of crime: 6/24/02

Prosecution’s case/defense response: Belt was convicted of beheading Lucille Gallegos at an apartment complex where she worked as a housekeeper. After the murder, Belt set the apartment on fire to destroy the evidence of the murder. The prosecution presented DNA evidence linking Belt to the murder. The defense argued it was Gallegos’s abusive boyfriend who killed her. Belt maintained his innocence throughout the trial. DNA evidence also tied Belt to a six different rapes.

Prosecutor(s): Ron Evans

Defense lawyer(s): Marc Bennett, Barry Disney

Sources: Wichita Eagle 10/21/04 (2004 WL 96338668), 10/22/04 (2004 WL 96338777), 11/2/04 (2004 WL 96340128), 11/3/04(2004 WL 96341035), 11/4/04 (2004 WL 96340614), 11/18/04 (2004 WL 96342306)