Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — One of five people charged in the deaths of three people at a Topeka house was convicted after prosecutors argued he helped hold down the victims while they were killed.

Joseph Lowry, 32, was found guilty Wednesday of three counts of first-degree murder and seven other counts in the March 2017 deaths of Matthew Leavitt, 19, Luke Patrick Davis, 20, and Nicole Star Fisher, 38. Authorities said the victims were killed with trash bags in violence that stemmed from an unproven rape allegation against Leavitt.

During closing arguments Tuesday, Lowry's attorney, Jennifer Chaffee, said no evidence was presented to show that Lowry intended to commit murder, WIBW reported . She also argued Lowry was "too tweaked" from methamphetamine use to kill anyone.

"Joseph Lowry did rob these boys of their car," Chaffee said of one victim and a survivor. "That's all he's guilty of."

Deputy District Attorney Brett Wilson countered that Lowry brought zip ties to help with the killings and knew they were about to happen. Wilson also said no evidence showed Lowry was so intoxicated that he couldn't form the intent to kill.

"When the killing started, Mr. Lowry was more than happy to help out," Watson said.

Three other men and a woman were charged with murder in the case.

Joseph Aaron Krahn, who prosecutors said killed the victims, was sentenced in November to three consecutive life terms of 50 years for each victim. Kora Liles, 32, was convicted of 11 counts, including three counts of felony first-degree murder, and will be sentenced May 10.

Brian Joseph Flowers, 34, is scheduled to be tried this month on two counts of first-degree murder and other charges. And Shane Andrew Mays, 21, faces two charges of premeditated first-degree murder and will be in court May 9.

Mays' attorney has argued that Mays was forced to participate in the killings — including the death of Leavitt, who was his best friend — to save his own life.

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Information from: WIBW-TV.