Jury Convicts Christopher Maier in Pro Se Jury Trial

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced this afternoon that a jury convicted Lawrence resident Christopher Maier, 30, of one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Aggravated Battery. 

On June 1, 2016, Lawrence Police Department was dispatched to the parking lot of 1015 West 23rd Street in reference to a disturbance with weapons that occurred at 2444 Jasu Drive.   The victim, who had blood running down her face from a cut on her head, reported that she and Christopher Maier had an argument while she was driving.  The victim ordered Maier out of her vehicle, Maier then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim and yelled at her to take him back to the house on Jasu Drive.  The victim made it back to Jasu Drive, where Maier pointed the loaded handgun directly at the victim’s forehead, cocked it and told her that he was going to kill her.  The victim pushed the barrel of the gun away from her face and Maier then struck her in the forehead with the grip of the gun causing her to bleed profusely.  Maier left the vehicle.  Maier was later arrested and charged.

Mr. Maier had exercised his right to represent himself.  Maier then waived his right to be present for his Jury Trial.  

Maier’s jury trial began in the Division Two courtroom on Monday, July 30, 2018 with jury selection.  The State delivered its opening statement Monday afternoon.  The State presented two witnesses and the case went to the Jury at approximately 2:45p.m.  The guilty verdict was returned by the Jury approximately 20 minutes later.

Based upon Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Maier faces between 31-25 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections unless the Court orders the sentences to run consecutively and he could be facing more time.  The Court ordered a pre-sentence investigation report be completed. Sentencing is scheduled for August 31, 2018.

The Honorable Sally Pokorny presided over the case.  The case investigated by the Lawrence Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple.

*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

3.6 Advocate: Trial Publicity

3.8 Advocate: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

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