Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon a jury convicted Lawrence resident James M. Fletcher, 35, of five counts felony aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

In February 2015, officers from the Overland Park Police Department were dispatched to the residence of the victim’s mother who advised that her ex-husband James Fletcher had molested her daughter.   Officers spoke to Fletcher who was on scene and he informed officers that he was attracted to teenage girls.  Fletcher admitted that he brushed up against the victim’s breasts on a couple of occasions at his residence in Lawrence, Kansas.

Fletcher was later interviewed by Lawrence Police Detectives where he admitted that he is attracted to teenagers and the victim is a teenager. 

Fletcher’s jury trial began in the Division Six courtroom on Monday, August 7, 2017 with jury selection.  Opening arguments were delivered Tuesday morning.  The case continued Tuesday throughout the week.  Closing arguments were delivered Monday morning, August 14, 2017.  The verdict was returned today at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Flecther faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years for each count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.  The Court ordered a pre-sentence investigation be completed and scheduled him to be sentenced on October 30, 2017.

The Honorable Peggy C. Kittel presided over the case.  It was investigated by the Overland Park Police Department and Lawrence Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mark Simpson and Assistant District Attorney Alice Walker. The case was defended by Sarah Swain and Cooper Overstreet.

*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

3.6 Advocate: Trial Publicity

3.8 Advocate: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

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