Arguments to be filed in 1992 shooting case

It could be more than two months before it’s decided whether a man convicted in a 1992 murder gets a new trial.

A hearing to decide whether James P. Ludlow, 36, had an ineffective trial attorney ended Friday in Douglas County District Court after three days of testimony.

Instead of making closing arguments, attorneys will submit written arguments to Judge Jack Murphy.

David J. Brown, the attorney arguing for a new trial for Ludlow, will have 30 days to prepare his written argument after he receives a transcript of this week’s hearing. Jared Maag, the deputy attorney general handling the case for the state, will then have 20 days to respond. Brown will then have 10 days to respond to Maag’s response.

Ludlow was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting of Lawrence builder Tracy Robbins at Robbins’ home south of Lawrence. Brown argued Ludlow’s attorney was ineffective at trial because he didn’t investigate forensic evidence or the credibility of the only eyewitness to the shooting.

Murder victim’s mother appointed to state post

Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline on Friday announced that Jeanette Stauffer would be the new statewide victims’ rights coordinator.

Stauffer, formerly of Topeka, is the mother of Shannon Martin, a 23-year-old Kansas University student murdered almost four years ago in Costa Rica. Stauffer and her husband, Brad, now live in Eudora.

Stauffer’s hiring will be the subject of a 1 p.m. press conference Monday at Kline’s office. They will be joined by former Atty. Gen. Bob Stephan.

Attempts to reach Stauffer for comment Friday were unsuccessful.