Independence man pleads guilty to murder in teen's death during burglary
An Independence man pleaded guilty to murder on Tuesday for his actions in the home invasion shooting of a Royals superfan and the death of a teen burglary accomplice.
Posted — UpdatedPhillip Kisner, 43, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
Kisner's sentencing is scheduled for July 20.
The co-defendant in the case, Dustin Donlan, 20, pleaded guilty in 2016 to first-degree burglary. His sentencing is scheduled for July 7.
Both men were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree burglary after the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old who was with them during a 2015 home invasion. In Missouri, one can be charged with second-degree murder while committing a felony and an accomplice dies.
Family and friends identified the teen killed as Dylan Thompson, of Independence.
According to court records, Donlan and Kisner were both participating in the burglary of Royals superfan James Faseler's home when he came home and shots were fired.
Faseler told police that he had just returned home and walked into his home through the back door. He said the intruders were inside, and he was immediately shot.
He told police he saw one suspect but knew there was at least one other suspect that he did not see. He said a second shot was fired, but it did not strike him, and he fled out the back door and he fell to the porch where officers located him.
The second shot hit Thompson.
The two shooting victims were rushed to area hospitals.
Court records state Thompson suffered a gunshot wound to the torso. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Donlan admitted he, Thompson and Kisner committed the burglary, and some of the items missing from Faseler's home were found during a search of Donlan's home, court records state.
Kisner told police he acted as a lookout while Donlan and Thompson entered the home and removed a television and stereo equipment and multiple bags of items. He said he did not know who shot Thompson.
Kisner told police he denied having possession of any gun or ammunition. Kisner said he believed Faseler shot Thompson, but when questioned about the fact the homeowner was shot, he could not answer to who or how a gun was obtained.
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