Topeka Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal 2025 Shooting
Dalton W. Thompson entered guilty pleas for second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Violence
Dalton W. Thompson pleaded guilty on October 16, 2026, in connection with a 2025 shooting on Northeast Poplar Street. The plea agreement effectively cancels the previously scheduled jury trial for the incident.
Why it matters
The plea resolves a case involving the death of 37-year-old Joseph L. Kaberline and a second victim who sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds. It avoids the need for a full trial by jury in the Topeka shooting case.
The defendant entered guilty pleas for second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. This agreement follows an initial not guilty plea from January 2026 and cancels the planned jury trial.
The players
Dalton W. Thompson
He is a 29-year-old defendant who has pleaded guilty to charges related to a fatal 2025 shooting.
Joseph L. Kaberline
He was a 37-year-old victim who died from gunshot wounds during the September 2025 incident.
The details
Police responded to the 1000 block of Northeast Poplar Street at 4:45 p.m. on September 4, 2025, following a shooting that claimed the life of Joseph L. Kaberline. A second victim also suffered life-threatening injuries during the incident in the Topeka neighborhood.
Timeline
Sept. 4, 2025: Police responded to the shooting on Northeast Poplar Street.
Sept. 9, 2025: Prosecutors filed formal charges against the defendant.
January 2026: The defendant initially entered a not guilty plea.
Oct. 16, 2026: The defendant pleaded guilty to amended charges.
Nov. 23, 2026: A sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place.
Legal Context
This case follows the established reporting and prosecution patterns for serious violent felonies within the city's jurisdiction as defined by the 2025 Topeka violent crime reporting standards. The transition from a not guilty plea to a conviction mirrors common outcomes in regional homicide cases.
The resolution of this case through a plea agreement concludes the immediate trial process for the incident that occurred in the Oakland neighborhood. This development provides closure for the legal proceedings stemming from the 2025 shooting event.
The takeaway
The plea agreement brings an end to the active trial phase of this violent incident. Community members can expect the formal sentencing process to conclude the legal timeline on November 23, 2026.
What happens next
Dalton W. Thompson is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing hearing on November 23, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Topeka Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSNT 27.
