By Greg Grisolano
Globe Staff Writer
PITTSBURG, Kan. —
The prosecution of a man and woman who are charged in the death of a Pittsburg man has been transferred to the state attorney general’s office.
Crawford County Sheriff Sandy Horton announced via a press release that Steve Karrer, an assistant attorney general, will be prosecuting Amie Lee Ryburn, 30, and Charles F. Mitchell, 38, both of Pittsburg, on charges of first-degree murder.
Authorities have identified 29-year-old Ian P. Monaghan, of Pittsburg, as the victim of a murder that took place Sunday in a field near a trailer park in rural Pittsburg.
The release also stated that the Sheriff’s Department would have no further comment on the investigation.
A spokesman for Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six said the state office typically gets involved in prosecution at the request of a local prosecutor.
Crawford County Attorney Michael Gayoso did not return a message left on his cell phone Thursday.
Ryburn and Mitchell were arrested Monday by Jasper County deputies outside of Joplin, Mo., on drug charges.
A third defendant, Robert L. “Dutch” Liming, 55, has been charged with obstruction of justice related to the case.
Liming lives at the Oak Hill Trailer Park in rural Pittsburg, near the field where Monaghan’s body was found. Authorities have said they believe the victim and all three defendants were at the house together and later at the field.
Deputies were called about 7:30 p.m. Monday to the area of the trailer park at 943 S. 190th St., about two miles west of Pittsburg. The deputies found the body, Horton said.
A search warrant was served Tuesday at a home in the trailer park, and Horton said a methamphetamine lab was discovered in the home.
