Selected Court Hearings September 2 – September 9, 2016

Jury Trial

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces on Tuesday, September 6 a Douglas County jury convicted Topeka resident Mark J. Bailey, 41, of driving under the influence.

The case was filed in District Court on September 2, 2015 and it stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 21, 2015 at approximately 1:30 AM   A trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol observed Bailey driving erratically and therefore the trooper initiated a traffic stop.  When Bailey pulled over the trooper observed the odor of alcohol and noticed Bailey’s bloodshot and glazed eyes.  Bailey agreed to perform field sobriety tests and he failed them.  The trooper arrested him for driving under the influence.  After Bailey’s arrest, he consented to a breath-alcohol test and it showed a breath alcohol concentration to be .112.  The legal limit for drivers is .08. 

The trial began and concluded on September 6.  The jury deliberated for about 30 minutes before returning its verdict.

The Court set sentencing for October 7 at 3:30 PM.  Bailey’s conviction carries a sentence of up to 6 months in the county jail and a $ 1,000 fine.  His actual sentence will depend on his criminal history. 

The Honorable Paula B. Martin presided over the trial.  The case was investigated by the Kansas Highway Patrol and it was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bauch.

Sentencings

Lorenray L. Barnes, 24, of Wakarusa, Kansas was sentenced on Thursday, September 8 after her July 8 no contest plea to driving under the influence third offense and tamper with ignition interlock device.  The Court sentenced Barnes to five days jail time and 1,992 hours on house arrest with GPS.  She will then be released to 12 months probation with Court Services with an underlying sentence of 10 months jail for the DUI third and 10 months jail concurrent to count one for tamper with ignition interlock device.  The Court also ordered she complete a DUI impact panel, a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommendations.  She was fined $1,750.00.

Barnes was stopped on Tuesday, June 30, 2105 after a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office observed her crossing the centerline of westbound Highway 40.  The deputy followed her and after he observed her weaving, he pulled her over.  The deputy had Barnes complete field sobriety tests, which she failed.  Barnes was eventually placed under arrest and transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility.  Barnes agreed to provide a breath sample and the sample indicated a breath alcohol concentration of .131.

Trey E. Alford, 23, of Eudora was sentenced on Friday, September 9 after his August 2 guilty plea in 16CR470 to domestic battery and no contest in 16CR471 to criminal restraint and domestic battery. In 16CR470, the Court sentenced Alford to 12 months probation with Court Services with a six month underlying jail sentence.  Special conditions of probation are that he must complete a domestic violence offender assessment and follow its recommendations and have a drug and alcohol evaluation completed and follow its recommendations.  This sentence will run concurrent with 16CR471.  In 16CR471, the Court sentenced Alford to 12 months probation with Court Services with an underlying sentence of 12 months jail for criminal restraint and 6 months jail for domestic battery to run concurrent to count one.  The Court also imposed the same special conditions of probation as 16CR470.

16CR470 and 16CR471 were filed against Alford after he battered his girlfriend, several times over a two-day period.  Alford pushed her, punched her in the face and hit her in head with a half empty (plastic) bottle of vodka.

If you are the victim of domestic violence and if you are immediate danger call 9-1-1.  If you are being abused and if you want information on getting out of your situation, please contact The Willow Domestic Violence Center 24-hour hotline 785-843-3333 or 1-800-770-3030. 

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