Dale Willis sentenced to 50 years for killing a man outside an Overland Park nightclub

Dale Willis was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the death of a 24-year-old aspiring rapper outside of a nightclub.

 

Jurl Carter was shot to death outside the Roxy Club in Overland Park in September of 2015. 

 

Dale Willis and his brother, James Willis, are both charged for Carter's death. James Willis is still awaiting trial.

 

Related: Brothers accused of murder have lengthy criminal record

 

In court hearings, witnesses said the Willis brothers got into a fight with Carter before he was shot and killed. Carter was killed as he was driving away from the night club. 

 

When officers arrived, they found Carter dead in the parking lot. 

 

Johnson County prosecutors allege Dale Willis didn’t pull the trigger but he commanded it during opening remarks.

 

Jurors Tuesday watched two videos: security footage captured from nearby Autoworld and dashcam video from the first Overland Park police officer to respond to Carter’s murder at the club.

 

The security footage showed an altercation outside the nightclub. Prosecutors and defense lawyers agree that altercation was Dale Willis punching Carter.

 

Seconds later Carter is seen getting into his Malibu and backing out of the parking lot, and then someone approaches the car extending an arm.

 

Assistant District Attorney Alex Scott alleges that person is Dale Willis’ brother James Willis.

 

“Dale and James Willis together perpetrated the intentional and premeditated killing of Jurl Carter,” said Scott. “[James] stalks him down and shoots 11 times. You will hear evidence that he was so close to the car that one of the shell casings actually ejected into the front passenger compartment of Jurl’s vehicle.”

 

Scott linked the confrontation less than a minute before the shooting to Carter’s death.

 

“Mouthing off to the wrong person can get you killed,” said Scott.

 

According to public records, James Willis' past includes running from police, drug trafficking, assault and robbery. Dale Willis served time from being the leader of a drug ring while he was selling cocaine. His other crimes include robbery and assault.

 

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