Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that 26-year-old Columbia, Missouri resident Scharron R. Dingledine had a first appearance this afternoon in the Pro Tem Division of Douglas County District Court.  Dingledine is charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder. 

The Court set bond at $1,000,000 cash/surety and set the case for a no go preliminary hearing on August 7 at 9:30 a.m. in Division Six.  Attached with this release is a copy of the complaint document filed in the case.   

District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that on July, 31, 2018, Elmoses Blackwell of Denver, Colorado, entered a no contest plea to Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and two counts of Robbery.  

The plea encompassed two cases that for purposes of the plea were consolidated into one.  Over the course of several days beginning on May 28, 2017 and ending on June 7, 2017, the defendant participated in several robberies.   

District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that no charges will be filed in the April 2018 early morning shooting of a man on a porch in East Lawrence.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this morning that a jury convicted Eudora resident Danny W. Queen, 37, of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree and attempted voluntary manslaughter.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that a jury convicted Joe Hunter, 53, of one count of Theft.

On January 18, 2018, Lawrence Police Department was dispatched to Hurst Diamonds, 520 W 23rd Street, Lawrence.   The manager of the business reported that a black male, later identified as Hunter, took a loose diamond and a gem stone valued at $1,696.00 from a display case inside the store.

At trial the State presented surveillance video which captured Hunter reaching into a display case and removing the merchandise. 

For additional information visit Douglas County Fair website.  
Summary of events, dates, and times listed below.

Tuesday, July 31 Building 21 & Dreher Building Open 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon that a jury convicted Lawrence resident Christopher Maier, 30, of one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Aggravated Battery. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon that a jury convicted Eudora resident Carrody M. Buchhorn, 44, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, Reckless.

On September 29, 2016, emergency personnel was dispatched to a 911 call at the Sunshine Kids Group Daycare Center in Eudora in reference to an unresponsive child.  Fire and medical personnel arrived to find daycare staff performing CPR on an infant.  The infant was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital by ambulance where he was later pronounced dead.

As of 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 28, the bridge carrying E 1000 Road (Queens Road extended) over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70) has been reopened to traffic.  Damage to a bridge girder has been repaired by the Kansas Turnpike Authority and its contractor.

On July 21, the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) closed the E 1000 Road bridge over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70).  The bridge was struck by an oversize vehicle on the turnpike damaging one of the bridge girders.

Douglas County Public Works will soon treat reemerging areas of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in isolated areas of Lone Star Lake with an herbicide.  The treatment with an herbicide called Navigate is planned for Thursday, August 9, weather permitting.

On Saturday morning, July 21, the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) closed the E 1000 Road (Queens Road extended) bridge over the Kansas Turnpike (I-70).  The bridge was struck by an oversize vehicle on the turnpike.  The western-most girder sustained damage from the impact.

KTA has scheduled a contractor to begin repairs Thursday evening, July 26.  The contractor will work evenings and overnight through Saturday, July 28.  The goal is to open the bridge by Sunday morning, July 29.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that earlier today Lawrence resident Michael L. Henderson, 38, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of Electronic Solicitation following a three day jury trial that began on April 9, 2018.  At today’s hearing the Court denied Henderson’s motion for probation and sentenced him to serve 55 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for the single charge.  When Henderson is released, he will have 36 months post release supervision and he will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years.