Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Dustin D. Walker, 31, was sentenced today in the Division Five courtroom of the Honorable Paula B. Martin.  This follows the March jury trial conviction for the 2014 fatal shooting of Mr. Patrick D.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a Douglas County jury convicted Oskaloosa resident Joshaua L. Back, 34, of the May 25, 2015 second-degree-murder of 45-year-old Lawrence resident Tracy Dean Lautenschlager.  The jury also found him guilty of felony theft.

Douglas County Public Works plans to close Lone Star Lake to all boating activities on Monday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 19.  Boat ramps will be closed those days.  The department plans to treat the infestation of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) those two days, weather permitting.  If weather prohibits the herbicide application those days, the application and lake closure will be delayed until the first available opportunity following April 19.

[Topeka, KS – April 11, 2016]  Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed into law Senate Bill 367 regarding juvenile justice reform.  The Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA) provides the following response:

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today in the Division Three Courtroom, the Honorable Barbara Kay Huff sentenced Rachael Ann Hampton, 21 and Robert A. Long, 25 for their crimes committed on February 8, 2015, including a home invasion on West 19th Terrace.

2016 Pursuit of Preparedness

Douglas County Emergency Management successfully completed our 7th annual Pursuit of Preparedness Campaign on Monday, March 21st, 2016 with a presentation by Emergency Management staff to students at Baldwin City Elementary School Intermediate Center. The presentation included information on severe weather hazards for our area, as well as information on making an emergency plan, having an emergency kit, and staying informed before, during, and after an emergency/disaster.

Route 1055 (Haskell Avenue extended) south of 31st Street will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, April 4, to complete rehabilitation work on the bridge over the Wakarusa River.  Work on the project was suspended, and the bridge was opened to traffic through construction, on December 23, 2015.  Public Works anticipates it will take four weeks to complete work and re-open the bridge to traffic.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today a jury convicted Lawrence resident Dustin D. Walker, 31, of first degree felony murder in the 2014 shooting of Mr. Patrick D. Roberts. A jury found Walker guilty of Aggravated Burglary in a February 2015 trial but the jury could not agree on a verdict about felony murder.  Branson said of the verdict, “Justice has finally been served.”

The Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, through the Public Works Department, is again making available a  "user fee" dust palliative program to interested county residents.  The  program consists of applying liquid calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to rock roads in front of houses in an effort to reduce dust created by vehicles.  The cost of the program is borne by individual residents who sign up to participate in the program.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today that former Lawrence resident Orion M. Graf, 38, was sentenced late Wednesday in the Division Two courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny following his May 12, 2015 no contest plea to attempted rape and attempted aggravated criminal sodomy. The plea negotiations were done in close consultation and with the input of the victim of the crime.

Notice of Sheriff's Sale of real estate situated in Douglas County, Kansas on January 26, 2016

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that Tuesday afternoon Kansas City, Missouri resident Christopher J.G. McKay, 22; plead guilty as charged to attempted first degree murder.