TOPEKA, Kan. – Taylen J. Leclere, 18, was sentenced to 226 months, or just under 19 years in prison, in connection to the 2023 murder of 17-year-old Victor N. Carlton. Shawnee County court records show that Leclere, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated robbery earlier this year, was one of three teenagers arrested in the case.
Leclere’s sentencing follows an October 2023 incident where police responded to a shooting in the 2000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. They found Carlton suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite medical efforts, Carlton was declared dead at the scene.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Leclere’s first-degree murder charge was later dismissed, and he ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
In a related case, another suspect, Joshua M. Mitchiner, was found guilty in a jury trial on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and sexual exploitation of a child.
