Columbus, Kansas: Jurors convict mayor of battery on reporter

A jury has convicted former Columbus mayor Bill Schaiff of a misdemeanor count of battery.

Schaiff was accused in January of pushing KOAM-TV reporter Jeanene Kiesling.

Schaiff faces up to six months in prison and a fine.

Schaiff testified he had turned off the lights in the council chambers at City Hall and Kiesling ran into him.

Kiesling testified she and a photographer were in the council room when Schaiff turned out the lights. Kiesling said she asked Schaiff to turn the lights back on, and he refused and told her to leave. Kiesling said she tried to turn the lights on herself and that’s when Schaiff shoved her.