News briefs
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 01:11 p.m., January 22, 2008
Updated 01:11 p.m., January 22, 2008
Change of venue
An Americus man convicted once of raping a 6-year-old child will get a change of venue for his second trial.
Jury selection in the second trial of Kenneth Waddell was to have begun this morning in Lyon County District Court. Waddell’s 2003 conviction on charges of rape, aggravated sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child was overturned by the Kansas Court of Appeals. The state Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal.
The defense had asked for a change of venue for the second trial but was denied late in fall 2007. This morning, results of a pre-trial questionnaire became an issue. The questionnaire polled potential jurors on their knowledge of the case or Waddell.
“The defense renewed its motion for a change of venue,” said Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman.
Goodman said that the prosecution would not have been able to determine the extent of any prejudice that might exist, and did not oppose the change of venue.
A new trial date and venue should be announced within the next 90 days.
Eggs and issues
The first in a series of “Eggs & Issues” meetings will be on Saturday in the Sauder Alumni Center.
Refreshments will be available at 8 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Eggs & Issues is a public forum sponsored for many years by the Emporia League of Women Voters and the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.
State legislators attend the meeting and answer questions from the audience on topics pertinent to Kansas and to Emporia.
The meeting is open to the public at no charge.