Kansas man pleads guilty in 2023 murder of missing Parsons resident

KSNF/KODE — A Southeast Kansas man waived his right to a jury trial today (10/15), pleading guilty to the shooting death of a young Parsons man who went missing in April 2023.

Clint Nibarger, 34, agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder in exchange for a recommended sentence of 24 years.

Dakota Patton, 23, was last seen in April of 2023.

His body was found in a rural Neosho County area about two weeks later.

Nibarger was originally charged with first-degree murder along with his wife Kimberly Nibarger, 47.

According to the plea agreement, Clint Nibarger said he understands that he could possibly be sentenced to at least 24 years in prison. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for December.

Investigators say the Nibargers got married on April 26 last year – allegedly doing so with the misguided notion that it would keep them from testifying against each other.

Deputies found Dakota Patton’s vehicle two days after he went missing, in a field in rural Labette County with the front tires blown out. They said it appears someone towed the vehicle to the area where it was found.

Patton’s body was found in a rural Neosho County field on May 8, 2023.

Investigators say Patton died from a gunshot wound.

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