Galena man found guilty of first-degree murder

A man from Galena, Kansas, has been found guilty of a 2023 murder.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says a jury returned its verdict early Wednesday afternoon, following a three-day murder trial inside the Cherokee County Courthouse.

50-year-old Billy Shane Barker was found guilty of First Degree Murder, Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Carrying of a Weapon.

On April 18, 2023, Barker shot and killed 27-year-old Levi Porter, of Riverton, in the 800 block of North Columbus Street in Galena.

Barker will be held in the Cherokee County Jail until he is sentenced on September 5th.

Barker was prosecuted by Cherokee County Attorney Kurt Benecke.