Marina
A Kansas man, Franklin Bluelake, will spend over 50 years behind bars after being convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Rhoda Morgan.
On Wednesday, Bluelake received a 620-month prison sentence, which equals 51 and a half years, marking one of the lengthier sentences handed down for such a charge in recent Kansas history.
Details of the Crime
Bluelake had pleaded guilty on June 25, 2021, to his involvement in Morgan’s death, which occurred around January 29, 2023.
Authorities said that on that day, Olathe Police Department officers responded to a call at the 20600 block of West 151st Street following reports that a hotel guest had failed to check out.
When officers arrived at the location, they discovered a woman’s body inside one of the rooms. The victim was later identified as Rhoda Morgan, a resident of Gardner, Kansas.
Legal Proceedings and Timeline
Court documents indicate that Bluelake made his first court appearance approximately two months after Morgan’s death, beginning a legal process that would eventually lead to his guilty plea and sentencing.
The lengthy term reflects the severity of the crime and underscores the court’s stance on violent offenses involving loss of life.
The sentencing of Franklin Bluelake brings closure to a tragic case that shook the Kansas community. With a punishment of over five decades in prison, the court emphasized accountability and justice for the murder of Rhoda Morgan, ensuring that such violence does not go unpunished.
