SEDGWICK COUNTY —A teen who hid from police for weeks after killing a man is going to prison.
On Friday 19-year-old Jaden Watts was sentenced to 61 months in prison followed by 36 months post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick District Attorney's office.
In January, Watts pleaded guilty in the shooting death of 24-year-old Demarc Burgess, according to theDistrict Attorney's office.
In August, Judge Tyler Roush rejected a motion from Watt's attorney to dismiss the case because the fatal shooting was in self defense, according to the District Attorney's office.
In March of 2025, police issued a felony pick-up for Watts in connection with the shooting of Burgess at a residence in the 14000 block of E. Twinlake Drive in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Reboledo. EMS transported Burgess to a local hospital where he died.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the incident occurred during a gathering at the residence, where a disturbance broke out between Watts and Burgess, which ultimately led to the shooting. On June 17, Wichita police and U.S. Marshals took Watts into custody in the area of 700 S Hunter in Wichita, according to a statement from Wichita Police.