A Lawrence teenager was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison last month after pleading guilty to killing 20-year-old Baker University student Roland Klundt.

Kellam Jones, 17, admitted to killing Klundt during an attempted robbery June 7 in an east Lawrence neighborhood after firing about eight shots from a semi-automatic rifle, hitting Klundt in the neck and face. Before being shot, Klundt shot and killed Jones’ accomplice, 18-year-old Gage Hauk, McLouth, who was armed with an air pistol.

During the sentencing Dec. 19, as Klundt’s parents shared stories about their son’s journey from childhood to adulthood and his death, Jones listened with shoulders slumped in a red uniform and appeared to be crying.

Klundt’s mother, Heather Hein, said no amount of prison time will be equivalent to the loss of her son.

“Mr. Jones’ mother still has something I do not – hope,” Hein said.

Klundt’s father, Sid Klundt, said his son’s potential as a husband and father never will be known because of the “selfish, self-centered, non-remorseful criminal acts” of Jones.

“My son is dead for no reason more than the lack of value for life,” he said.

Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone took a brief recess after hearing Klundt’s family speak and returned to deliver the sentence of more than 14 years in prison despite a plea deal from prosecutors requesting 13 years and five months.

As part of the plea deal, Jones pled guilty to felony second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated burglary at a hearing Nov. 13.

Assistant District Attorney Deborah Moody, who helped District Attorney Charles Bransonprosecute the case, agreed as part of the plea deal to not file charges against Jones for attempted robbery and burglary at Klundt’s house, 1311 Delaware St., a week prior to the shooting. Jones also won’t be charged for a misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Prosecutors said Jones, who was 16 at the time of the crime, and Hauk went to Klundt's home to rob him of drugs and money.<br/>Jones was charged as an adult and expressed remorse for his behavior during the hearing Dec. 19.Jones was charged as an adult and expressed remorse for his behavior during the hearing Dec. 19.
Jones was charged as an adult and expressed remorse for his behavior during the hearing Dec. 19.

“I believe there is nothing I can say to justify my actions,” he said. “I’d just like to apologize to the family for everything.”

Jones was represented by Julia Spainhour, a defense attorney of the Northeast Kansas Conflict Office.