§Why CasetextPricing

August 2012 KSC docket

By Randall Hodgkinson
Kansas Defenders
Jul 3, 2012

Here are the criminal cases on the KSC docket for August 27-31, 2012. These summaries are based on the issues listed in the briefs filed and may not very accurately or fully describe the actual issues in the cases. I recommend you review the briefs yourself if you would like more details. Don't forget, arguments are streamed live over the internet at the appellate court website (here) if you would like to listen in to any of these arguments.

August 27--Monday--a.m.

State v. Evelyn Wells, No. 103,559 (Sedgwick)

Direct appeal; Rape/Sodomy

Korey Kaul

[Affirmed; Rosen; Dec. 14, 2012]

  1. Improper prosecutorial argument (misstating law)
  2. Alternative means (criminal sodomy)
  3. Improper exclusion of defense evidence
  4. Answering jury question outside defendant's presence
  5. Improper imposition of hard-25 sentence

State v. Reginald Stafford, No. 103,521 (Sedgwick)

Direct appeal; Rape

Carl F.A. Maughan

[Affirmed; Rosen; Dec. 14, 2012]

  1. Failure to sever co-defendant's trial
  2. Failure to grant evaluation of complaining witness
  3. Failure to strike juror for cause
  4. Improper admission of hearsay statements/exhibits
  5. Improper prosecutorial argument
  6. Insufficient evidence

State v. Douglas LeClair, No. 101,201 (Saline)

Direct appeal (petition for review); Failure to register

Meryl Carver-Allmond

[Reversed; Nuss; Oct. 26, 2012]

  1. Insufficient evidence to show failure to register

State v. Christopher Britt, No. 103,727 (Johnson)

Direct appeal; Rape/Aggravated indecent liberties

Lydia Krebs

[Affd/Vac/Rmd; Moritz; Nov. 2, 2012]

  1. Alternative means
  2. Improper prosecutorial argument
  3. Life sentence Cruel or Unusual Punishment

August 28--Tuesday--a.m.

State v. John Backus, No. 102,951 (Wyandotte)

Direct appeal; First-degree murder

Michael Bartee

[Affirmed; Johnson; Nov. 2, 2012]

  1. Failure to give lesser for second-degree murder
  2. Improper Allen instruction
  3. Failure to grant new trial (new evidence)
  4. Improper admission of inflammatory photographs
  5. Defendant mentally retarded

State v. Francis Everett, No. 100,529 (Smith)

Direct appeal (petition for review); Manufacture

Randall L. Hodgkinson

[Rvd; Luckert; March 29, 2013]

  1. Improper prior bad act evidence
  2. Improper late amendment of complaint
  3. Improper response to jury question re hung jury
  4. Failure to recall jury after evidence of jury misconduct

State v. Adam Ardry, No. 101,311 (Sedgwick)

Sentencing appeal (petition for review)

Patrick H. Dunn

[Rvd/Rmd; Rosen; Oct. 5, 2012]

  1. Failure to exercise discretion to consider lesser sentence when revoking probation

State v. Jason Schaeffer, No. 104,503 (Shawnee)

Sentencing appeal; First-degree murder

Nancy Ogle

[Affimed; Beier; Oct. 19, 2012]

  1. Whether sentence resulted from partiality, prejudice, or corrupt motive

August 29--Wednesday--a.m.

State v. John Prine, No. 103,242 (Reno)

Direct appeal (transfer); Rape/Aggravated criminal sodomy

Matthew J. Edge

[Affirmed; Beier; May 31, 2013]

  1. Improper admission of prior bad act evidence
  2. Amended K.S.A. 60-455 violates Ex Post Facto Clause

State v. Randy Hart, No. 101,723 (Elk)

Direct appeal (petition for review); Aggravated indecent liberties

Shawn Minihan

[Affirmed; Beier; June 7, 2013]

  1. Insufficient evidence of age of complaining witness
  2. Improper prosecutorial argument (vouching)
  3. Jury instructions broader than charging document
  4. Improper admission of prior bad act evidence
  5. Erroneous limiting instruction re prior bad act evidence

State v. Edward Spear, III, No. 104,206 (Reno)

Direct appeal; Aggravated indecent liberties

Lydia Krebs

[Affd/Rvd; Luckert; July 5, 2013]

  1. Improper admission of prior bad act evidence
  2. Insufficient evidence
  3. Life sentence is Cruel or Unusual Punishment

State v. Karl Beaman, No. 103,361 (Wyandotte)

Direct appeal; Rape

Heather R. Cessna

[Affd/Vacd/Rmd; Biles; Oct. 19, 2012]

  1. Improper jury trial waiver
  2. Failure to grant continuance
  3. Failure to grant depature

August 30--Thursday--a.m.

State v. Heather Hilton, No. 102,256 (Ellis)

Probation violation appeal (petition for review)

Matthew J. Edge

[Remanded to COA; Johnson; Oct. 19, 2012]

  1. Whether probation violation appeal moot
  2. Improper probation violation

State v. Travis Montgomery, No. 102,119 (Shawnee)

Probation violation appeal (petition for review)

Carl Folsom, III (brief), Korey A. Kaul (argue)

[COA dismissal as moot afffirmed; Johnson; Oct. 19, 2012]

  1. Whether probation violation appeal moot
  2. Improper probation violation

State v. Wesley Warren, No. 104,662 (Seward)

Direct appeal; Aggravated indecent liberties

Christina M. Waugh

[Reversed; Moritz; Sept. 28, 2012]

  1. Insufficient evidence

State v. James Campbell, Jr., No. 101,860 (Riley)

Direct appeal (petition for review); Possession with intent

Patrick H. Dunn

[Rvd/Rmd; Moritz; May 3, 2013]

  1. Fourth Amendment violation (warrantless entry to residence)

August 31--Friday--a.m.

In re Douglas Girard, No. 103,505 (Clay)

KSVPA appeal (petition for review)

Sam S. Kepfield

[Affirmed; Nuss; Jan. 11, 2013]

  1. Whether actuarial tests used to determine status subject to Daubert

State v. Ricky Stovall, No. 100,704 (Shawnee)

Direct appeal (petition for review)

Gerald E. Wells

[Rvd/rmd; Johnson; Nov. 22, 2013]

  1. Failure to allow counsel to withdraw due to conflict