HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man accused in the deaths of two people east of Hutchinson last month was before a judge Thursday in Reno County District Court.
According to Reno County District Attorney Tom Stanton, a public defender was assigned to Kyle Hardwick in the case.
Hardwick is charged with two counts of premeditated first degree murder and one count of theft. The murder charges carry a life sentence without parole for 50 years.
The names of the victims have still not been released.
Hardwick was listed as a person of interest after two bodies were discovered on a property in eastern Reno County August 27.
Deputies were sent to that location for a check welfare call for a missing person. While searching the property, deputies believed they found the missing person, so they got a warrant to search the entire property and found a second man dead.
Hardwick's next status conference is October 20 at 1:30 p.m.