Shooting Defendant Waived Preliminary Hearing
A Wichita teenager will face trial after waiving his preliminary hearing for a shooting on South Laura Street.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Violence
Diego Moreno-Espinoza, a 19-year-old charged with aggravated battery, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Wichita. He is accused of shooting a 12-year-old girl in the stomach on July 3.
Why it matters
The waiver means the legal case will move directly toward trial, skipping the stage where the prosecution would have presented evidence to establish probable cause. The defendant claims the shooting occurred accidentally while he was manipulating his firearm.
The 19-year-old defendant is charged with aggravated battery following a July 3 shooting. He is currently awaiting his arraignment scheduled for October 29.
The players
Diego Moreno-Espinoza
He is the 19-year-old defendant charged with aggravated battery in connection with the July 3 shooting.
The details
The shooting took place on South Laura Street near Pawnee Avenue, resulting in a liver laceration for the 12-year-old victim. Following the incident, the victim and two companions stopped at Hillside Avenue and George Washington Boulevard to contact 911 services.
Timeline
July 3: The shooting occurred at approximately 9 a.m.
September 25, 2026: The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
October 29: The arraignment for the defendant is scheduled.
Legal Context
The waiver of this hearing follows standard procedure under the Kansas Code of Criminal Procedure to expedite the movement of a criminal case toward trial. This procedural step is frequently utilized in the Wichita judicial district to bypass evidence presentation phases when defendants choose to proceed directly to court.
While the legal process moves to the trial phase, residents in the South Laura Street area should remain aware of ongoing court updates. Local safety remains a priority for the Wichita community as the criminal case against the defendant continues through the justice system.
The takeaway
The court's decision to move toward trial underscores the significance of the initial charging process for aggravated battery. Residents should monitor public court dockets for further updates as this legal matter progresses to its next scheduled stage.
What happens next
The defendant is scheduled for an arraignment on October 29, which will set the next phase of the court proceedings.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSN-TV.
