What the Judge Ate for Breakfast

The man who shot Wichita private eye Emory Goad said through his lawyer that he was too old and sick to go to prison. But two years later, 79-year-old John Harper called after returning from serving his time and said he’s never felt better.

As his 2006 trial for second-degree murder ended, Harper drove the Rolls Royce at the center of the violent case to the Sedgwick County Courthouse

“I came out healthier,” Harper said.

Harper spent the first year of his sentence for attempted second-degree murder at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in 23-hour lockdown.

“There’s not much you can do there except read,” Harper said.

But after being transferred to Lansing, Harper said he started getting exercise, which improved his health.

“I started walking five miles a day around the path, and then I started running,” Harper said. “Pretty soon, I’m was so healthy they put me on work detail. I’m almost 80 years old, and I’m mowing lawns.”

The former car dealer was convicted of shooting Goad in May 2005, as the private investigator tried to repossess a 1951 Rolls Royce at Harper’s house. Goad could have died.

Harper was outspoken during his trial, claiming he shouldn’t have been charged with a crime. After the shooting he told police he hoped Goad died. And after going to prison, his family took out a series of ads in the Eagle claiming his innocence.

Now, Harper sounded more mellow on the phone. He’s on parole and said he’ll end up on house arrest, an ankle bracelet monitoring his movements, for the rest of his life.

“It really will help me,” Harper said. “I don’t ever want to see Emory Goad again.”

Harper’s family managed to maintain his house. And his grandson still has the Rolls.