Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that Lawrence resident Tria L. Evans, 38 and Leavenworth resident Christina L. Towell, 37, each had a first appearance this afternoon in the Pro Tem Division of Douglas County District Court.  Both Evans and Towell are charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, arson and aggravated burglary associated with the death of Joel Wales in November 2017.   

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today a jury convicted 20-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident Pierre P. Walker of three counts of aggravated robbery and one count of felony cruelty to animals.  This was the third jury trial of this case.  The first two trials ended with hung juries in July and October 2017. 

Senior Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple stated after the trial, “The District Attorney’s Office felt confident going forward with a third jury trial given the strong evidence we had against this defendant.” 

During its 6:00 PM meeting on January 3, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will discuss planned improvements to Route 1055 from the north leg of the curve at E 1650 Road/N 700 Road to the intersection with E 1700 Road at Vinland.  An improvement project is planned for construction in 2019.  The BOCC meeting is held on the 2nd floor of the county courthouse at 11th & Massachusetts in Lawrence.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Lawrence resident Stacey N. Ballard, 24, of aggravated robbery. 

District Attorney Charles Branson hopes to launch a new pre-trial prosecutor led diversion program in 2018.  Branson started work on the project in early 2017 as part of an effort to find meaningful alternatives to the repeated incarceration of women in the county jail.  

A production company will shoot video for a commercial on several roads in Douglas County on Thursday, December 14, weather permitting.  Two road sections will be temporarily closed for the video activity:

• E 900 Road on top of Clinton Dam; closed approximately 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM
• E 1130 Road along Martin Park; closed approximately 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Weather permitting, Douglas County Public Works anticipates reopening by 5:00 PM, Friday, December 1, the portions of N 1500 Road, N 1550 Road and E 1625 Road east of Lawrence that have been closed since August 21.  Remaining construction contract items anticipated to be completed this week include additional asphalt paving, final grading, and traffic control signage and pavement markings.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that his office has filed suit against a contractor for violating state consumer protection laws. Under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, suppliers of consumer goods or services cannot engage in deceptive or unconscionable acts and practices when soliciting or performing consumer transactions. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that yesterday a jury convicted Lawrence resident Ronald E. Throne, 31, of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, electronic solicitation, indecent liberties with a child, lewd and lascivious behavior and promoting obscenity to minors.  

JOINT RELEASE WITH THE LAWRENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces earlier today rural Douglas County resident John Brian Crawford, 52, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of three charges following a three day jury trial that began on July 17.  The jury found Crawford guilty of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement – obstruction.  At today’s hearing the Court sentenced Crawford to serve 20 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for the first charge, 8 months KDOC for th

The Route 458 curve at N 1000 Road/E 1000 Road will be closed to all traffic beginning Monday, October 2, for an anticipated five week duration, weather permitting.  This additional Route 458 full closure will be from E 950 Road to N 1050 Road.  This closure is in addition to the current Route 458 closure from E 800 Road (Route 1/1039) to E 900 Road.