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Faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, rape, capital murder

From STAFF REPORTS

Authorities filed charged Wednesday morning against Justin Eugene Thurber, 23, for capital murder, rape and aggravated kidnapping in the disappearance and death of 19-year-old Jodi Sanderholm.

The charges were announced at noon at the Ark City City Hall in the commission meeting room packed tight with reporters.

The capital murder charge could lead to prosecutors seeking the death penalty against Thurber. They have until five days after his arraignment to decide that.

Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison, who will help County Attorney Chris Smith prosecute the case, said they believe Thurber allegedly kidnapped Sanderholm following her dance practice Friday, Jan. 5 around noon, drove her to a rural part of southeast Cowley County, where he allegedly raped and murdered her.

They also allege that Thurber then disposed of Sanderholm's car in the Cowley County State Fishing Lake.

Morrison, Smith and Ark City Interim Police Captain Sean Wallace did not comment in details of the alleged crimes but said Sanderholm died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.

He would not say what Thurber's motive might be, but did say authorities believe he likely acted alone.

"We're not going to close our eyes to the possibility of anybody else involved in this case," Morrison added.

Officials would not comment on what role Thurber's father, Kevin, played in the investigation.

"We don't have any reason to believe that his father (behaved) in any criminal sense," Morrison said.

Thurber was to appear in court in Winfield on the Sanderholm charges at 3:30 p.m. today. He has been held on unrelated charges since Saturday, officials said.

Police picked him up Friday for questioning in the case, released him and then arrested him later when they discovered that he had yet to be officially arrested on charges the previous weekend of impersonating an officer and disorderly conduct, Wallace said.

"We don't just hold people if we find out they may be involved," he said, emphasizing "may."

Both Sanderholm's body and car were discovered on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, by the Arkansas City Police Department with assistance from the Arkansas City and Burden fire departments.

"The Arkansas City Police Chief Sean Wallace, Cowley County Attorney Chris Smith, the KBI and all local law enforcement have done an excellent job on this case," said Morrison. "We will continue to work closely as we move towards a resolution."

Wallace also praised the multiple agencies involved in the search for Sanderholm.

"This is a small town but it's been no small endeavor," he said. "The outpouring of support was just unparalleled to anything we've experienced in Ark City."

Wallace also read a statement from the Sanderholm family thanking the community for their support and officers for their diligence and thorough investigation.

Morrison cautioned not to rush to judgment.

"These are only allegations," he said. "Everybody is presumed innocent until proven guilty."

Tim Frieden, of the death penalty defense unit at the Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense services said after the press conference that he had met briefly with Thurber and would appear in court with him this afternoon. He said he was not yet ready to comment on the charges.

"I'd hope people would wait and let the case work its way through the court," he said.

Above: Justin Thurber