Emporia man charged with murder after fatal crash

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) – A 23-year-old Emporia man is charged with first-degree murder after a fatal crash that happened as the suspect was fleeing from police.

During his first court appearance Monday, Devawn Mitchell declined a court-appointed attorney. He faces more than 25 charges resulting from the incident in Emporia on Thursday.

Police say a pursuit began after Mitchell swerved in the direction of a patrol car, forcing the officer to evade a collision.

Police say they tracked Mitchell in Emporia but called off two pursuits because of he was speeding and running stop lights.

Police say Mitchell eventually hit a pickup truck, killing 64-year-old Steven Henry. Mitchell is being held on $1 million bond.