WICHITA, KS – Autumn Metcalf, 34, of Wichita, has been sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory 50-year minimum before parole eligibility, a “Hard 50” sentence, for the 2020 murder of Joe Wheeler III, 33, outside a Wichita strip club.
The sentencing, handed down Monday by Sedgwick County District Judge Eric Williams, follows Metcalf’s August conviction on charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder.
In addition to the life sentence with the “Hard 50” stipulation for the murder conviction, Judge Williams sentenced Metcalf to 61 months for solicitation. These sentences will run consecutively, meaning if Metcalf is ever granted parole after serving the initial 50 years, she will then have to serve the additional 61 months.
The deadly incident occurred in August 2020 at Baby Dolls, located in the 4900 block of North Arkansas. Wichita Police officers responding to a reported shooting found Wheeler dead inside his vehicle, which was parked in the rear of the business.
According to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens, an investigation revealed a disturbance that began inside the club escalated and moved into the parking lot. Wheeler was shot while seated in his car.
