Selected Court Hearings September 19 - September 30, 2016

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces on Monday, September 26 following a bench trial held in the Division One Courtroom of the Honorable Robert W. Fairchild, the Court found Lawrence resident Cristen D. Lowe, 43, guilty of driving under the influence, second offense. 

The case was filed against Lowe following a traffic stop on August 25, 2015 just before 3:00 a.m. by a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy in the 4800 block of Overland Drive.  The deputy had originally been dispatched to a disturbance in a store by an intoxicated party.  That party was later determined to be Lowe.  After the disturbance in the store, Lowe got into her vehicle and drove off.  The deputy that was called out to the disturbance located the vehicle as it was leaving the store parking lot.  After witnessing the vehicle nearly strike a curb, a traffic stop was conducted.  The deputy noticed the odor of alcohol on Lowe’s breath, and observed bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech.  With those observations, a field sobriety test was completed and then a preliminary breath test that indicated a result of .16 and Lowe was placed under arrest.  Once Lowe was at the Douglas County Jail, a chemical breath test showed a breath alcohol concentration of .167. 

Lowe will be sentenced October 28 at 4:00 p.m. and faces a fine ranging from $1,250 to $1,750 and jail time ranging from 48 hours to one year in the Douglas County Jail.

The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and it was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bauch.

Preliminary Hearings

On Tuesday, September 20, Baldwin City resident Teri L. Johnson/15CR1208, 34, had a preliminary hearing in the Division Six courtroom of the Honorable Peggy C. Kittel.  The Court bound Johnson over on three sex crimes.  The Court heard testimony from the victim and two detectives with the Lawrence Police Department about Johnson’s actions with the high school student when the defendant worked as a para-professional at his school.  The Court bound Johnson over on the charges of unlawful sexual relations, sexual exploitation of a child and promotion obscenity to minors.

The case has been set for a status conference on February 3 at 9:00 a.m. and a jury trial on February 15.  

Johnson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct.

On Thursday, September 22, a preliminary hearing for Lawrence resident Shane S. Allen/16CR387, 31, was continued at defense’s request.  The Court scheduled the new date for the preliminary for December 2 at 1:30 p.m.  Allen is charged with kidnapping, four counts of aggravated battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Allen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct.

On Tuesday, September 27, Lawrence resident Tracy D. Releford/16CR818, 50, had a preliminary hearing in the Division Six courtroom of the Honorable Peggy C. Kittel.  The Court heard testimony from one juvenile victim and an officer with the Lawrence Police that responded to the scene the night of the incident.  The Court bound Releford over on commercial sexual exploitation of a child and promoting the sale of sexual relations.  The Court will issue a written ruling on the charge of aggravated human trafficking at a later date.  A trial was scheduled for the two charges Releford was bound over on for January 11, 2017.

Releford is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct.

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