District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today the office received the majority of the investigation regarding the May 29 officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence.  It is expected that follow-up investigation will be received as it is completed.

Review of the investigation will begin immediately.  There is no timeline on when the review will be completed, but a press release will be distributed when a charging decision is reached or if further information becomes available.

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On the afternoon of June 4, 2018, detectives with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office presented an update to District Attorney Charles Branson and several of his Senior Assistant District Attorneys with respect to the May 29 officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence. 

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation of the shooting as a result of a mutual aid agreement.  The purpose of the update was to provide an overview of how the investigation is being conducted and the progress of the investigation.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Kansas City, Missouri resident Danneisha Nesbitt, 28, of aggravated robbery.  The case proceeded to a jury trial after Nesbitt rejected a plea offer made by the State.

On May 29, 2018 at approximately 5:45 p.m. the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office was notified of an officer involved shooting in downtown Lawrence. The District Attorney’s Office was informed that the Lawrence Police Department had requested assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation of the incident.  The Lawrence Police Department held the scene until the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrived.  

The date to close Route 458 (N 1000 Road) from E 1800 Road to Route 1057 (E 1900 Road) for the start of a project to improve roadside safety has been rescheduled from June 4 to June 18.  Both E 1800 Road and Route 1057 will remain open for north-south traffic.  The full project is two miles long on Route 458 from E 1800 Road to E 2000 Road, but only the west mile of the project will be closed initially.  The east mile of the project is anticipated to be closed in early-July.

The District Attorney’s Office announces changes to its criminal diversion program and the introduction of a new pre-file diversion program.

While diversion has been offered for years as a method of conviction avoidance for a person charged with a lower-level crime, the office is now implementing extensive updates to the diversion policy.  The policy is being overhauled both to expand the reach of the current program and to ensure fees do not limit access to diversion by people who may be experiencing financial instability. 

A tentative date of June 4, 2018 has been established to close Route 458 (N 1000 Road) from E 1800 Road to Route 1057 (E 1900 Road) for the start of a project to improve roadside safety.  Both E 1800 Road and Route 1057 will remain open for north-south traffic.  The full project is two miles long on Route 458 from E 1800 Road to E 2000 Road, but only the west mile of the project will be closed initially.  The east mile of the project will be closed later this summer.

Route 458 from E 800 Road to just north of N 1156 Road will open to motor vehicle traffic through construction by 8:00 PM, Friday, April 27.  The full road closure that has been in place between N 1050 Road and N 1116 Road has been removed.  Bicycle traffic is still prohibited throughout the project length. Side roads N 1075 Road and E 1135 Road have also been opened to traffic.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that on Friday, April 13 the office received a default judgement against contractor John Shively, doing business as J&R Remodeling.  This judgement includes $5,925 in restitution, a $10,000 civil penalty for violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and all court costs associated with the action.  Additionally, Shively is restrained from acting as a supplier in Douglas County under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. 

Douglas County Counselor states that petition may not be able to force an election

LAWRENCE, KS (April 20, 2018) –After issuing the April 16 advisory opinion to Justice Matters on the legality of the petition, the County Counselor was subsequently asked to consider whether the petition can lawfully seek a referendum election to increase the County property tax levy.

Douglas County Counselor outlines several issues with submitted petition as currently written

LAWRENCE, KS (April 16, 2018) – Justice Matters authored a petition that would seek to place a question on the November 6, 2018 general election ballot. They presented this petition to the Douglas County Counselor for legal review as provided by Kansas statutes.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Lawrence resident Michael L. Henderson, 38, of electronic solicitation.