Jurors selected for Cosby murder trial

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney spent Election Day in the courtroom.

Kenney and defense attorney Greg Robinson spent Tuesday morning questioning potential jurors for a first-degree murder trial that begins next week in Douglas County District Court.

Twelve jurors and three alternates were selected to hear the case of Lafayette Cosby. The 25-year-old is charged with premeditated, first-degree murder in the shooting of Robert Martin on April 4, 2004, inside a Jefferson Commons apartment.

Potential jurors were questioned about the concept of premeditated murder, as well as their viewpoints on self-defense.

Trial is scheduled to begin Monday morning.

Topekan arrested in parking meter thefts

A man suspected of using a homemade key to steal coins from downtown parking meters was caught in the act last week, according to a police report made public Tuesday.

Police said they received a tip that a man who had stolen from meters in the past might be back in the area. When officers saw a 39-year-old Topeka man removing coins from a meter late Thursday night, they stopped him, searched his car and home and found a homemade key and more than $450 in coins.

Officers arrested the same man in March 1997 for a similar offense, said Sgt. Dan Ward, a Lawrence Police spokesman. Police also are investigating whether he’s connected to a series of similar thefts downtown in June 2001.

City to help residents lower their heating bills

The Lawrence City Commission agreed Tuesday to help 50 homeowners in the city take steps to lower their heating bills this winter.

Commissioners approved bids totaling $50,719 to install attic insulation, weatherstripping and new storm windows as part of the city’s home weatherization program.

The program is open to low- and moderate-income residents of the city who make no more than 80 percent of the county’s median income, which for a family of four is $49,750.

The city only accepts applications for the program during the month of August. City officials received 60 applications and chose 50 homes to participate in the project, which is funded through grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.