A mental health expert on Friday asked authorities to reduce charges against a Lawrence homeless advocate so that her court-ordered psychiatric evaluation could take place closer to Lawrence.

Katherine “Lani” Oglesby on Friday remained locked in a cell at Douglas County Jail.

If current charges against her stand, in the next few days she’s expected to be taken to Larned State Hospital for evaluation.

But Gene Deegan, mental health recovery studies director at Kansas University’s School of Social Welfare, said Oglesby would be better off at a hospital closer to Lawrence and has asked authorities to reduce to a misdemeanor the felony charge leveled against her for allegedly assaulting a jailer two weeks ago.

Deegan on Friday sent faxes to Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney; Oglesby’s attorney, Jonathan Becker; and District Judge Michael Malone. In the fax, Deegan asked that the charges against Oglesby be reduced so she can go to Osawatomie State Hospital  where her friends could visit and support her  instead of Larned, a town about 260 miles southeast of Lawrence.

State law mandates a person facing criminal charges suspected of being mentally ill be sent to either Larned or Osawatomie state hospitals. Those charged with misdemeanors may be referred to Osawatomie; Larned is the only facility available for those charged with a felony.

“She (Oglesby) is suffering from a mental illness and is not a criminal,” Deegan said. “The spirit and intent of the ‘felony assaulting a corrections officer’ law passed by the Legislature was not intended for a case like this.”

Deegan said he wasn’t suggesting Oglesby not be held accountable for her behavior.

Deegan said he was not speaking on behalf of KU or the School of Social Welfare.

Kenney and Douglas County Sheriff Rick Trapp declined comment.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Mike Pattrick said, “Anytime a police officer is assaulted, we would hope it would be prosecuted, but it is up to the district attorney to determine filing of charges.”