Mother’s lawyer to start own murder investigation

The trial of three people accused of killing of Kansas University student Shannon Martin has been delayed, and a judge has ruled that Jeanette Stauffer, Martin’s mother, will be allowed formal legal representation during the trial.

The trial was scheduled to begin Thursday in Golfito, Costa Rica, where Martin was killed in May 2001 while completing a biology research project. It now has been postponed indefinitely while Stauffer’s Costa Rican attorney, Juan Carlos Arce, reviews case files, conducts his own investigation and files new murder charges on behalf of Martin’s family.

Arce told The Tico Times he expected that a new set of murder charges would be filed at the end of the month. He expects the trial to begin by the end of July.

Three people are charged in Martin’s slaying — Kattia Cruz, 27, Rafael “Coco” Zumbado, 52, and Luis Alberto “Caballo” Castro, 32.

Law enforcement: Former probation officer appears before judge

A former Douglas County probation officer appeared in court Monday on charges he aided a felon and illegally disclosed information about a warrant.

Michael J. Pritchard, 63, is accused of letting his daughter-in-law stay at his home even though he knew there was a warrant for her arrest.

Douglas County District Judge Pro Tem Peggy Kittel tentatively assigned the case to Judge Paula Martin but said she didn’t know whether any of the judges in district court would accept the case.

The county’s probation officers are considered officers of the court and are under the authority of Chief Judge Robert Fairchild.

Pritchard lost his job with the court in late April, about the time Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office filed charges against him. He is free on bond.

Holiday: July Fourth parade to go on as planned

Lawrence’s Independence Day parade hasn’t fizzled out after all.

Though a lack of interest initially threatened the first-ever downtown event, parade chairman Bob Foster now says the event will go on as planned.

He said there were at least 20 entries signed up, including eight floats, bands, decorated “family units” such as pickup trucks, antique cars and walking units expected to include about 200 people. Several more groups have made phone inquiries.

The entry deadline — which initially was June 4 — has been extended through Saturday.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 4, and will go from Sixth and Massachusetts streets to South Park.

Entry forms are available at any Lawrence Parks and Recreation facility; the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, 734 Vt., Suite 101; or by e-mailing fairplay@sunflower.com.