HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man has been bound over for trial in connection with the murder of a Hutchinson woman last August. In addition to a count of first-degree murder, Isaac Ervin also faces new charges of kidnapping, aggravated intimidation of a witness and unlawful sexual relations. The additional charges came during a preliminary hearing Thursday.
Ervin is charged with the beating and strangulation death of 29-year-old Lora Beth Stratton. Stratton was found in an alley in the 700 block of West 7th Avenue Aug. 24 unconscious. She was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and then to Wichita where she died a few days later.
Stratton and her husband met Ervin and co-defendant Delshay Vinsonhaler online while looking for a place to store their personal belongings. At that time, Ervin is accused of asking for sexual favors in exchange for accepting Stratton’s request.
It was also revealed during the preliminary hearing that Ervin allegedly kept Stratton in a bedroom against her will and beat and strangled the victim before taking her out of the home and leaving her in the alley.
Sr. District Attorney Thomas Stanton says the amended complaint will be on file by Monday, at which time Ervin will be arraigned in front of Judge Tim Chambers.