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.

Beginning Wednesday morning, April 11, 2018, pavement rehabilitation work will commence on Route 1023 (N 851 Diag Road) from N 950 Road to the Route 1023/Route 458/Route 6 intersection.  The pavement will be milled and patched prior to receiving an overlay of new asphalt pavement.  One lane of traffic will be open through construction, and will be controlled by flaggers.  The rehabilitation work for this road segment is anticipated to take two weeks duration, weather permitting.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Kansas City, Kansas resident Pierre P.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces the Douglas County Women’s Substance Use Disorder Prosecutor-Led Diversion and Treatment Program (WDP) is ready to accept its first referrals and participants.  The DA’s Office is launching the program this month and will accept a total of 8-12 participants annually.  The goal of the program is to reduce justice system involvement by non-violent, female offenders with substance use disorders through engagement in comprehensive substance abuse treatment.  Diversion to substance abuse treatment can reduce substance use,

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Construction will resume March 12, 2018 on the Route 458 major rehabilitation project from E 800 Road to just north of N 1156 Road.  Weather permitting, on March 12 Douglas County’s contractor, King’s Construction, will close Route 458 between N 1050 Road and N 1116 Road for construction of two large culverts near the Route 458/N 1075 Road intersection.  During the Route 458 closure, N 1075 Road and E 1135 Road will be closed to through traffic between E 1000 Road and N 1200 Road.  We anticipate these closures will remain in place for six to eight weeks, weather permitting.

Construction will resume soon on the Route 458 major rehabilitation project from E 800 Road to just north of N 1156 Road.  Weather permitting, Douglas County’s contractor, King’s Construction, will resume work constructing shoulders in early- to mid-March.  A full road closure will begin in mid- to late-March, weather permitting, to allow replacement of two large culverts near the N 1075 Road intersection.  The full road closure is anticipated to be in place for six to eight weeks. 

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Jaered A. Long, 19, was sentenced on Tuesday to 586 months in prison for the murder of his grandmother, Deborah L. Bretthauer.  Long was originally charged with first degree murder as a juvenile in the stabbing death of Ms.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that following a preliminary hearing the Court bound over Topeka residents Anthony Roberts, Jr., 20, Ahmad Rayton, 22, and Dominique J. McMillon, 19, on charges related to the October 1 Massachusetts Street triple homicide.   A trial date was scheduled for May 14 and bond amounts remain unchanged. 

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.”