Teenager gets 20 years for two armed robberies

A Lawrence teenager was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison Friday for his role in two separate robberies last year.

Byron M. Turner, 19, received back-to-back sentences for the Dec. 3, 2003, holdup at Tobacco Express, 2104 W. 25th St., and the Sept. 21, 2003, robbery of a Kansas University student outside The Hawk, 1340 Ohio.

Turner was originally charged with two counts of aggravated robbery for using a gun during both incidents.

He reached a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier this month, which reduced one count to simple robbery.

Turner could receive time off of his sentence for good behavior in prison. If so, he’ll end up serving about 17 1/2 years behind bars for the two robberies.

Meningitis patient still in critical condition

Kansas City, Kan. — The Kansas University student who was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis Wednesday night was still in critical condition Friday evening.

Andy Marso, 22, St. Cloud, Minn., was still on a ventilator Friday in the intensive care unit at University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., according to a hospital spokeswoman.

A spokeswoman at Watkins Student Health Center, where Marso sought treatment Wednesday evening, said no new cases of meningitis had been reported.

Rain continues

After a day full of drizzle, the area collected about .70 of an inch of rain Friday, according to National Weather Service reports collected at Lawrence Municipal Airport.

Skyhawk Ken Blair, who lives in west Lawrence, said he had measured .41 of an inch of rain by 4:30 p.m. Friday.