Deliberations continue in DeSoto murder trial
Jurors today will continue to discuss the fate of an Edwardsville man charged with killing a DeSoto woman.
The first-degree murder trial for Jesse Guardado, 18, began Monday in Johnson County District Court.
He is accused of playing a role in the Sept. 4 slaying of 41-year-old Melanie Oliver, who was shot as she slept in her DeSoto home.
The jury deliberated for three hours Wednesday before recessing for the evening. Jurors were scheduled to reconvene at 8:45 a.m. today.
Juan Crutchfield, 22, DeSoto, also is charged with first-degree murder along with aggravated burglary, kidnapping, aggravated battery, domestic battery and intimidating a witness. He was scheduled to be tried Monday, but the trial was continued to Feb. 4.
Alfredo Arambula, 18, Kansas City, Kan., also is charged with first-degree murder. His trial was scheduled for Jan. 7 but was continued and has not been rescheduled.
Sentencing hearing continued in minister's sex-crimes case
A sentencing hearing for a Lawrence minister will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 24 in Douglas County District Court.
Garland Hall, 46, was supposed to be sentenced Wednesday by Judge Robert Fairchild. Hall's attorney, Shelley Bock, was sick, and the hearing was continued.
In November, Hall pleaded no contest to attempted aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery.
Hall is a former assistant pastor for Ninth Street Baptist Church. He is an associate pastor with Oak Ridge Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan.
Ottawa narrows its list of city manager candidates
The city of Ottawa has narrowed its list of potential city manager candidates to eight.
Mayor Gene Ramsey said the city commission will interview the candidates Feb. 1-2. He said the commission hopes to hire a new city manager in March to replace Scott Lambers, who left in September to become Leawood's city administrator.
The commission first selected nine interview candidates, but Ramsey said one person already had accepted a job in Texas. Five of the remaining eight candidates live in Kansas, he said.
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