(Harlan, Iowa) – A woman who plead guilty to being an Accessory After the Fact in connection with the death of an Earling resident, was sentenced Monday (Nov. 17th) in Shelby County District Court, to two-years of probation after receiving a two-year deferred judgement on the Class-D Felony charge. Online court records show 35-year-old Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,025, and submit a DNA sample. McWilliams previously plead guilty to her charge on Friday, October 3rd.

Her sentence was with regard to the July 31st shooting death of 32-year-old Theresa Kenkel, of Earling. **The man convicted in Kenkel’s death, 33-year-old Winston Joseph “Joe” Leal was originally charged with First-Degree Murder – a Class A Felony, but a voluntary plea was negotiated to Murder in the 2nd Degree – A Class B Felony. He sentenced October 29th to 50-years in prison, with credit for time served. He too, was required to submit a DNA sample.

Both subjects were arrested on August 1st, following the discovery of Theresa Kenkel’s body at a residence in Earling, when Deputies conducted a requested welfare check.

** Corrected w/plea bargain reducing the crime to 2nd Degree Murder