Woman accused in Hesston Factory Shooting Plans Plea Change

Federal court records indicate a woman accused of giving her former boyfriend guns that he used in a shooting at a Kansas lawn equipment factory is planning to change her plea.

The Hutchinson News reports that a Monday court filing shows a jury trial for 28-year-old Sarah Jo Hopkins has been canceled and a plea change hearing set for Aug. 19. Hopkins pleaded not guilty in March to one count of transferring weapons to a prohibited person.

She is accused of giving Cedric Ford a semi-automatic rifle and a .40-caliber handgun that he used in the Feb. 25 attack at Excel Industries in Hesston. Four people were killed, including Ford, and 14 others were injured.

Court records say she gave Ford the guns after he threatened her.