Trial for man accused in commune death delayed
Wichita ? A man accused of killing a woman at a Sedgwick County commune in 2003 will not go on trial as scheduled next week.
The Sedgwick County prosecutor says the trial for Daniel Perez, of Valley Center, has been delayed indefinitely. Perez faces 35 charges including first-degree premeditated murder in the death of 26-year-old Patricia Hughes.
A Sedgwick County judge ruled Monday that evidence from a Texas case in which Perez is accused of sexual misconduct will be admitted in his Kansas trial. The continuance was granted to allow witnesses from that case to be called.
No new trial date was set.
Authorities allege Perez led a commune in Valley Center and lived off life insurance payments of several commune members who died.