Suspect in slaying on probation in burglary

A Lawrence man charged earlier this month with second-degree murder was put on probation Thursday for committing an unrelated burglary last summer.

David J. Uptain, 31, will serve the two years of probation through Douglas County Community Corrections.

On Dec. 12, Uptain pleaded no contest to charges of burglary, misdemeanor theft and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a July 29 burglary at a residence in the 1300 block of Tennessee Street.

Douglas County District Court Judge Paula Martin sentenced Uptain to 39 months in prison, then suspended the sentence and placed him on probation.

Martin also ordered Uptain to pay $250 in restitution to the victim and $150 to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for lab fees associated with investigating his case.

Uptain remains in Douglas County Jail, charged with slaying Michael B. Riley, 49. His bond is $175,000.

Riley’s body was found Jan. 4 by police in his apartment at Hampton Court, 1722 W. 24th St. Police said Riley had allowed Uptain to stay with him.

Uptain is to return to Martin’s courtroom Thursday for a preliminary hearing on the murder charge.

Baldwin officer resigns after medical leave

Baldwin — Baldwin Police Sgt. Colleen Larson has called it quits.

After a brief medical leave, Larson submitted a letter of resignation last week to Chief Michael McKenna.

Larson was acting police chief until McKenna’s arrival from Wichita last month. Larson then resumed her duties as sergeant.

Baldwin City Administrator Larry Paine said it was only a few days before Larson quit that she presented McKenna with a note from a doctor stating she needed medical leave.

Paine said he was notified by Larson within a week of her medical leave that she would not be returning.