Briefcase

Courts

Jurors can’t agree in KDOT shooting case

The trial of a man charged with assaulting two Kansas Department of Transportation workers with a shotgun ended in a mistrial Wednesday.

Jurors deliberated for more than five hours and failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of Robert M. Krische, 46. A hearing to address whether there will be a retrial is scheduled for Jan. 22.

The two alleged victims in the case were doing surveying work related to the controversial proposed realignment of U.S. Highway 59 between Lawrence and Ottawa. Krische lives about eight miles south of Lawrence in the 400 section of East 1250 Road.

Prosecutor Shelley Diehl argued that Krische “lost his cool” and fired two blasts at the men to put them in fear of bodily harm because they weren’t leaving his home fast enough.

Defense attorney Michael Riling, however, argued that Krische was trying to protect himself and his wife from trespassers.

Investigation

Eudora Police seize marijuana, cash

Eudora Police recovered what they called a “sizable” amount of suspected marijuana Tuesday night from a car stalled alongside Kansas Highway 10.

Eudora Police Chief Greg Dahlem said an off-duty Eudora Police officer came across the car in the eastbound lanes of K-10 around 10:45 p.m.

Police suspected the driver was intoxicated, and during a search of the car, found the marijuana as well as a large amount of cash.

The suspect, a 20-year-old Lawrence man, was booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges that include possession with the intent to sell marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstruction of the legal process.

He was released after posting $875 bond and ordered to appear in court Jan. 14.

School of Medicine

Grant issued to help minority recruitment

The Kansas University school of medicine has received a $3.75 million federal grant to help more minorities become doctors.

The grant is from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities. It will establish scholarships for minority students and allow for more recruitment of minorities. It also will strengthen academic support services for minority students.

The grant is spread over two years.

“Studies have shown that physicians from under-represented minority groups, especially African-American and Americans of Latin descent, are more likely to practice in underserved communities,” said Patricia Thomas, associate dean of cultural enhancement and diversity.

Kansas Highway Patrol

Alcohol-related fatalities to be commemorated

Motorists in Kansas on Friday may notice Kansas Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation vehicles being driven with their lights on during the day.

Employees of the two agencies will keep their vehicle lights on in observance of National Lights on for Life Day. The annual event honors those killed and injured in alcohol-related crashes. All motorists are invited to do the same thing, Highway Patrol Supt. Col. William Seck said.

Driving with lights on during the day significantly reduces the risk of head-on collisions, Seck said. But on Friday it also highlights the state’s zero-tolerance of impaired driving, he said.