A 20-year-old Wichita man accused of fatally shooting a pregnant woman earlier this year has pleaded not guilty and is preparing to face trial.
Matthew Criscenzo is charged with intentional and premeditated first-degree murder, as well as aggravated battery, in connection with the May 25 killing of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby. He entered his not guilty plea in court on Thursday.
Police said the shooting occurred in the early morning hours on the 700 block of South Laura, just southeast of Kellogg and Washington. Officers were called to the scene around 4:30 a.m. and discovered Oglesby suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Doctors were able to deliver her baby, though authorities have not released additional details about the child’s condition, reports KAKE News.
Criscenzo was arrested later that same morning and has been held in Sedgwick County Jail since then. He faces a jury trial status hearing scheduled for October 8, where proceedings are expected to move forward.
The case has drawn significant attention in Wichita, both for the violent circumstances and because Oglesby was pregnant at the time of her death. Prosecutors allege Criscenzo’s actions were deliberate, describing the killing as premeditated.
Court records show Criscenzo faces serious penalties if convicted of first-degree murder, which in Kansas can carry a life sentence with limited chances of parole. The aggravated battery charge, tied to the shooting, could add further prison time if a jury finds him guilty.
No motive has been publicly disclosed, and attorneys have not commented on what defense strategy might emerge during the trial. Criscenzo’s plea sets the stage for what could become a lengthy and closely watched case.
The community has mourned Oglesby’s death, with friends and family holding vigils in her honor earlier this summer. Many remembered her as a bright, kind young woman who was preparing for motherhood, according to the Law and Crime.
A GoFundMe launched for Oglesby’s baby and family describes her as a “beautiful young soul who was taken too soon,” per the description. “Her baby Zy’nia is still alive, but doctors have said she may not survive or have any quality of life,” the GoFundMe says.
As the case moves toward trial, both prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to present evidence surrounding the events of May 25. The outcome could hinge on whether jurors accept the state’s argument that the crime was intentional and planned, or whether the defense can cast doubt on those claims.
For now, Criscenzo remains behind bars with no bond. The October hearing will determine the schedule for the trial and mark the next step in a case that has left a Wichita family grieving and a community searching for answers.