Supreme Court overturns murder conviction in Ottawa case
The Kansas Supreme Court orders a new trial for Joseph Andrew Hayden after ruling Judge James J. Smith’s conduct prejudiced the original trial in the 2000 murder of 85 year old Vivian Johnson and assault on her husband. Franklin County seeks retrial with both the local prosecutor and Attorney General’s office handling the case. The opinion cites pervasive misconduct and intrusive demeanor by the judge. Prosecutors will refile and locate witnesses as they review evidence ahead of a new trial.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
Supreme Court
Joseph Andrew Hayden
Vivian Johnson
Howard Johnson
High
Hayden
James J. Smith
High Court
Robert Kuchar
Smith
Kuchar
Franklin County Bar Association
Student writer Autumn Myers wins Literture contest honor
Autumn Myers, a sophomore, won the Letters About Literature contest among 658 Kansas entrants. She will receive 250 dollars and a 50 dollar Target gift card, and her letter to Max Lucado about You Are Special advances to the national round with a possible 500 dollar prize and trip to Washington D.C.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Nowak
The
Ottawa Herald
Ottawa High School
Autumn Myers
Myers
Kansas
Kansas Library
Wichita
Washington D.C
Angie Flax
Max Lucado
Flax
Punchinello
Sonic Drive In Nears Reopening After Remodel in Ottawa
Sonic Drive In at 1535 S Main St in Ottawa may reopen March 26 after remodeling. Pete Esch says 50 workers will be hired, landscaping and canopies remain, and the new 1,700 square foot facility includes a drive through and customer turnaround area. CEI Engineering is contractor. Bach's franchise runs Sonic locations in Burlington, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Esch
S. Main St
Esch
Sonic
Baseline Medical Equipment & Supplies
Main Street
CEI Engineering
Texas
Arkansas
Bach's
Burlington
Tennessee
Sonic Drive-in
Kansas House cuts court budget, risks extra shutdown days
Kansas House members approve a 3.7 percent cut to the judicial budget, totaling under 108 million for the next year. The move blocks surcharges used to fund the courts and could force payroll and operations reductions unless funds are restored. The dispute ties to education funding rulings and court-imposed surcharges, with Senate negotiators yet to finalize a plan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
Kansas
House
Judicial Branch
Kansas Supreme Court
Ron Keefover
Keefover
Supreme Court
Judiciary
Marti Crow
D-Leavenworth
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ireland
Vane
Jones
Sonia Ahuja
Herald
John Nowai
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