A man convicted of first-degree murder in Stevens County nearly 25 years ago is up for a parole hearing next month.

James Michael Gann, 43, was convicted of murdering Lewis Oliver Price, former owner of Argus Hotel, while he slept in his bed. Price was shot twice in the back of the head.

Gann, along with John T. Jones, buried Price in a shallow grave in the Sandhills, said James Kuharic, the former county attorney who prosecuted the case.

Kuharic said the two men fled to Texas, where they were found and sent back to Kansas. He said both men pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in December 1982 as part of a plea bargain. The plea agreement dismissed charges of conspiracy to commit murder and felony theft and sentenced the men to at least 15 years in prison before eligibility of parole. Gann and Jones were sentenced Feb. 3, 1983.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, John T. Jones was paroled in 2000 after serving 17 years in prison. He was released from parole just three years later.

Gann, who has served nearly 25 years in prison, is scheduled for a parole hearing in December. If he is granted parole, he will be released in January.

Citizens who would like to voice their concerns about Gann's upcoming parole hearing can do so at public comment sessions at:

n 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 -- Wichita, Finney State Office Building, Third floor, Room 3080, 230 William St.

n 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 26 -- Kansas City, Kan., City Hall, One McDowell Plaza, 701 N. Seventh St.

n 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 30 -- Topeka, Landon State Office Building, First floor, Room 106 A, 900 SW Jackson St.

If a citizen cannot attend the public comment sessions, they can send a letter to the Kansas Parole Board, Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson St., Room 452 S. Topeka, KS 66612-1220.