Courts

Hearing postponed in neglect case

A hearing has been postponed for a Lawrence man charged with killing his elderly father by neglect.

Timothy D. Harrell, 44, was to appear before Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone on Wednesday to schedule a preliminary hearing, but Harrell’s attorney, Greg Robinson, asked for a postponement because of a scheduling conflict.

Malone granted the request and scheduled the appearance for May 28.

Harrell is charged with second-degree murder and mistreating a dependent adult in the death of his 84-year-old father, Henry F. Harrell.

Courts

Murder trial scheduled in Costa Rica slaying

Three Costa Ricans will go on trial June 12 and 13 for the slaying of Kansas University student Shannon Martin in the Pacific port town of Golfito, Costa Rica.

The three suspects — Kattia Cruz, 27; Rafael Zumbado, 52; and Luis Alberto Castro, 32 — each have been charged with first-degree murder in the May 13, 2001, death of Martin.

Judge Daniel Morán also extended for two more months Cruz’s preventive prison sentence. Cruz, the primary suspect, has been in prison 18 months.

Martin’s mother, Jeanette Stauffer of Topeka, earlier this week was in Costa Rica attempting to hire lawyer Juan Carlos Arce to represent the victim’s family during the upcoming trial. Though the deadline to enter a new lawyer into the case has expired, Arce and Stauffer are arguing that the victim’s family never was notified about its legal options and should be allowed representation.

A decision is expected Friday.

Kansas Gas Service

KCC plans hearings on rate increase proposal

Topeka — Hearings are scheduled to begin next month on Kansas Gas Service’s request for an average 15 percent increase in its natural gas rates.

The Kansas Corporation Commission plans to take public testimony during hearings scheduled for 7 p.m. June 19 in Wichita and 7 p.m. June 24 in Topeka.

The KCC also has scheduled five days of “technical” hearings starting Aug. 18. Those sessions will resemble a court proceeding, with witnesses and cross-examination by attorneys for the commission and other parties.

The KCC issued an order Monday to set the schedule.

Kansas Gas Service officials have argued that the company needs an additional $76 million to cover higher operating costs and improvements to its pipeline system. Residential customers would see their monthly bills increase by an average of $8.70.