Moore says chances ‘very high’ he’ll run again

Congressman Dennis Moore, D-Kan., likely will seek re-election in 2004.

Moore was in Lawrence Friday for the opening of a new Free State Credit Union Branch at 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue.

“I’m not making a formal announcement,” the three-term representative said, “but the chances are very high I’ll be running again.”

Two Republicans, former Overland Park City Councilman Kris Kobach and Moore’s challenger from 2002, Adam Taff, have said they also would run for the seat.

Among those attending the opening were Lawrence City Commissioner Boog Highberger, left, and Bob Gent with Moore, pictured above.

Moore said he was happy to be in Lawrence for the branch opening, saying it would provide a vital service to east Lawrence residents.

Courts

Accomplice in slaying receives probation

A 27-year-old Topeka man charged with aiding two suspects in the slaying of a Lawrence man was sentenced Friday to 18 months of probation.

Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin sentenced Randy Owens, who had reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in June.

Owens had pleaded no contest to charges of aiding a felon and fleeing to elude officers in connection with the March slaying of Quincy Sanders.

Two other suspects, Tremain Scott, of Overland Park, and Corey Robinson, of Topeka, will face trial this fall.

District Attorney’s Office

No decision yet made on charges in fight case

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney on Friday said she hadn’t decided yet whether to file charges against Luke Wells, who testified Monday he hit Jeffrey Medis during a scuffle outside the Replay Lounge.

“There’s still some work to be done before that decision is made,” Kenney said.

Medis suffered a broken nose, broken upper and lower jaws, a fractured eye socket, concussion and a gash on his chin that took six stitches to close.

Tuesday, a jury found Medis’ friend, John Thomas Simmons, guilty on two counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of disorderly conduct. The charges stemmed from Simmons’ hitting two men who said they were part of group accosted by Simmons and Medis shortly after 1:15 a.m. Dec. 6.

The jury found Simmons not guilty of hitting two men who said they, too, had been struck. After the trial, Kenney predicted a decision on charging Wells would be made by Friday.

Simmons’ sentencing is set for Sept. 5.

Crime

Plea agreement delayed in elderly victim’s death

A plea agreement hearing Friday in Douglas County District Court was delayed until next week for a woman charged with mistreating a dependent adult.

Berdella I. Harrell, 40, was sick and couldn’t make it to the hearing before Judge Michael Malone, her attorney, J.C. Gilroy, said.

Harrell and her husband, Timothy D. Harrell, 44, were charged in the November 2002 death of Timothy’s father, Henry F. Harrell, 84. Timothy Harrell is charged with second-degree murder and mistreating a dependent adult.

Henry Harrell died of pneumonia and complications from bed sores.

Malone rescheduled Berdella Harrell’s plea hearing to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Timothy Harrell is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday.