By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man awaiting trial for murder in the August 2019 strangulation death of a Hutchinson woman has filed a motion to dismiss the charges claiming self-defense.
Isaac Ervin is charged with premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, promoting sexual acts and intimidation of a witness in connection with the death of Lora Beth Stratton. Stratton was found beaten in a Hutchinson alley Aug. 23. She died 10 days later in a Wichita hospital.
Ervin has waived his right to a speedy trial and no court date has been set following a continuation of his original June 30 trial date. District Judge Tim Chambers set a hearing on the first motion for 10 a.m. June 17.
Although Ervin admits to strangling Stratton, he claims he was defending himself after Stratton attacked him. During an interview with police, Ervin claimed he was alone with Stratton in an apartment and she became angry because Ervin wasn’t helping her bond her husband out of jail.
The motion states that Ervin took action against Stratton under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, “where their use of force against another person was justified in self-defense.”
Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton said he will have a response to the motion filed later this week.