Driver recalls 'normal' trip back to Topeka / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, April 18, 2007

April 18, 2007

Granada shooting trial begins with statements, video

Opening statements begin this morning in the trial of a man accused of murder for a shooting last year outside the Granada in downtown Lawrence. Enlarge video

The man who drove the suspect in a downtown Lawrence shooting back home to Topeka said no one in the car said anything about the incident, in which one man was killed and another injured.

"I thought I drove normal. Somebody said I screeched off, but I didn't think I did," said 30-year-old Topeka resident Travis Miller.

On Feb. 5, 2006, Miller drove 20-year-old Rashawn T. Anderson and another man back to Topeka from outside the Granada, 1020 Mass.

Miller was among witnesses in Anderson's murder trial Tuesday, the first day of testimony. Prosecutors allege Anderson shot and killed Robert Earl Williams, 46, also of Topeka, and injured Pierre Burnette, of Kansas City, Kan., after a hip-hop show in downtown Lawrence.

Miller's testimony did not coincide with statements by a limousine driver, Les Paul Jr., who said he heard gunshots and then saw the car that Miller was driving speed away. Paul also testified that he saw a man with a tan or brown hooded jacket jump into that car before it sped off.

According to a video taken the night of the shootings, Anderson was wearing a brownish hooded jacket.

Prosecutors and investigators have relied heavily on the video because it showed arguments and altercations that involved Williams. A subcontractor from the hip-hop label that promoted the show filmed the scene.

Testimony from several witnesses Tuesday revealed the end of the concert was a rowdy setting as many said they had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana.

"I never saw a gun that night in anybody's hands," said Avery Peppers, 32, of Topeka.

On the trip back to Topeka, Peppers was a back-seat passenger in the car Miller drove, while Anderson was in the front.

And even though he said he never saw a gun, he testified that he remembered a window being rolled down on the drive home along U.S. Highway 40.

Prosecutors stressed that testimony because investigators later found a handgun west of Lawrence along U.S. 40associated with bullets fired at the scene. Trent Krug, assistant Douglas County district attorney, said during his opening statement that two swabs from the gun matched Anderson's DNA profile.

Investigators focused on Anderson after they obtained the video because he matched descriptions from other witnesses. On the video shown in court, Anderson never appeared to speak directly with Williams, but he was looking at Williams' hand, where Williams held a pocket knife during an argument with Peppers. Williams can be heard cursing and screaming loudly on the video.

LaTonia Coleman, who for 14 years had been Williams' common-law wife, testified that Williams argued with friends and family members several times throughout the night but that things eventually calmed down.

She dropped him off in front of the Granada so he could get more details about an after-concert party, but seconds later she heard shots and saw Williams fall into the street. He died later at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Krug told jurors the state will produce a witness who will identify Anderson as the shooter.

Anderson's attorney, Mark Manna, said that Williams was drunk, had smoked marijuana and was involved in several arguments with different people, which could give motive to others.

Manna also said that Anderson's DNA was found on what police say was the murder weapon because he had handled it earlier when it was in his home.

"Rashawn Anderson is not guilty of killing Robert Williams or firing the gun that injured (Burnette)," Manna said.

Discussion

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18 April 2007
at 4:08 a.m.

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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…

I suppose, in the grand scheme of things, burning rubber on Mass and tossing pieces out the window on 40 HWY constitutes a “normal trip back” for our Topeka guests.
18 April 2007
at 5:43 a.m.

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leadrain (Anonymous) says…

Mike_blur:
I don't see anything normal about Topeka. It's so nice to see that our state Capitol is such a lovely place to visit, no wait, that's right, everyone in Topeka itself is trying to get out. Something is wrong with that place. Look at how just being there affects the residents judgement and sense of right\wrong. AND the 1st three numbers of their ZIP is 666. Folks must have seen the disaster we call Topeka a long way off. Type on, my friend.
18 April 2007
at 6:53 a.m.

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Esq2eB (Anonymous) says…

Leadrain,

Get up every morning and watch the city of Lawrence commute to Topeka to go to work and then say that everyone is trying to get out. No Topeka = No Lawrence.
18 April 2007
at 6:57 a.m.

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BABBOY (Anonymous) says…

I lived in Topeka my whole life. Sadly, there is a criminal element in Topeka. But, that is because is a bigger city then Lawerence. Only a very stupid person would judge an entire city by one portion of it. I mean if I wanted to be short sighted and just as stupid, I would say everyone from Lawerence does smokes pot or is a snob working in Johnson County and living in Lawerence. But, that is just another label.

Incidently, Blur what were you doing posting at 4:00 in the morning. Long night there parntner?
18 April 2007
at 8:46 a.m.

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CrystalKU (Anonymous) says…

I disagree. No KU = No Lawrence. Nice try though.
18 April 2007
at 8:47 a.m.

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prioress (Anonymous) says…

Labels belong on beer bottles, not people. Good post, BABBOY.
18 April 2007
at 9:03 a.m.

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scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

“I lived in Topeka my whole life. Sadly, there is a criminal element in Topeka. But, that is because is a bigger city then Lawerence.”

Yet another benefit of our wonderful quest for endless growth in Lawrence - big city crime!!! Let's see, there's traffic woes, higher taxes, degraded natural surroundings, etc…. and now we can add to the list the attraction (and eventually support ) of a criminal element that might just kill you. Way to go Lawrence!!! I sure love all the improvement the endless growers are bringing to my life.

18 April 2007
at 9:49 a.m.

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napoleon969 (Anonymous) says…

I'd suggest you get off Topeka's ass!!! Lawrence has quite a few home grown bad guys of its own. Just read the friggin paper.
18 April 2007
at 9:55 a.m.

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Baille (Anonymous) says…

“Normal drive” is funny.

“Yep, just smoked dope all night at a downtown club, got my drink on, picked a few fights, peeled out on Massachusettes after picking up my buddy who had shot someone, and then drove the back way to Topeka where my buddy threw the gun out the window. Just a normal drive home.”

And by the way, how is a whole club smoking dope at a downtown club all night and no cops notice?
18 April 2007
at 9:57 a.m.

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FreetoBe47 (Anonymous) says…

When I first moved to Kansas that was my first impression of this state because Topeka is the first city I lived in. I spent my one and only year of living there trying to figure out a way to get out! It is not that much bigger than Lawrence but the atmosphere is just very different. I knew I was in trouble when I fould out the zip code began with 666 and I knew it was time for me to adios.
18 April 2007
at 10:18 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

“And by the way, how is a whole club smoking dope at a downtown club all night and no cops notice?”

That'd be racial profiling. They are too busy gearing up to bust the non-violent and the somewhat paler Waka crowd in June.
18 April 2007
at 10:32 a.m.

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mike_blur (Mike Blur) says…

babboy, I get off work at midnight, and can't wait for the next day's JW to come out!
18 April 2007
at 11:07 a.m.

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Jace (Anonymous) says…

Yeah! What TOB said!

Right on, TOB!
18 April 2007
at 12:41 p.m.

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JSDAD (Anonymous) says…

Posted by CrystalKU (anonymous) on April 18, 2007 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I disagree. No KU = No Lawrence. Nice try though.

Wait try this,, No Lawrence, ku = ksu
18 April 2007
at 1:34 p.m.

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CrystalKU (Anonymous) says…

We are all pot smoking snobs who live in Lawrence and work in Johnson County. What's your point?

18 April 2007
at 3:31 p.m.

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Redzilla (Anonymous) says…

I'm still relatively new to Lawrence, so this is all still a bit strange to me.

As for “And by the way, how is a whole club smoking dope at a downtown club all night and no cops notice?”

…I wondered that myself last Wednesday night when I was at the Granada. I saw employees of the place lighting strategic sticks of incense throughout. Huh. I wonder why you'd want so much incense in a venue like that. I wonder.
18 April 2007
at 4:25 p.m.

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achtung (Anonymous) says…

i was at the granada last night and barely got one drag of a cig before we were busted. so don't blame the employees! yet i've seen people run reds right in front of police. my guess is that granada employees are being taken care of. so pay the cops more! we don't need a police state, just a state of more giving a hoot. and people that don't stand around egging on fights and booing cops.
18 April 2007
at 4:45 p.m.

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doc1 (Anonymous) says…

TOB, Lawrence Cops don't bust the Wak/fest people. They don't even go out there. I'll tell you why there weren't any cops there. Its cuz too many people call the police for stupid crap, like my neighbor who calls the police twice a day to report leafes blowing in his yard.
18 April 2007
at 4:53 p.m.

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as_I_live_and_breathe (Anonymous) says…

I'm confused about the 666 reference…. I thought everyone in Lawrence was a godless pagen atheists! why believe in the anti if you don't' believe in the Christ?
18 April 2007
at 5:11 p.m.

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Crispian (Crispian Paul) says…

Posted by doc1 (anonymous) on April 18, 2007 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TOB, Lawrence Cops don't bust the Wak/fest people. They don't even go out there. I'll tell you why there weren't any cops there. Its cuz too many people call the police for stupid crap, like my neighbor who calls the police twice a day to report leafes blowing in his yard.

doc1,
I beg to differ. Did you not hear about the fact that during last year's festival, they pulled over every persn who got off on the K-10/Clinton Parkway exit from the turnpike and Hwy. 40? They arrested or cited I think about 100 Waka fest goers….
18 April 2007
at 5:14 p.m.

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Crispian (Crispian Paul) says…

as_I,
It's spelled Pagan. And yes, we ALL are. Didn't you know? Lawrence has cornered the market on free-thinkers in Kansas.

Generalizations….generalizations. Tsk, tsk.
18 April 2007
at 5:26 p.m.

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perkins (Anonymous) says…

Wait till you see the number of Lawrence attorneys advertising their services to Wakfesters this year…
18 April 2007
at 5:45 p.m.

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as_I_live_and_breathe (Anonymous) says…

Sorry Crispy, and thank you — I guess the spell check God what toying with me.

but Free thinkers??? as long as you don't think about lighting up a ciggie….

18 April 2007
at 5:47 p.m.

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as_I_live_and_breathe (Anonymous) says…

WAS toying with me…. damn keyboard demons…. blah
18 April 2007
at 6:49 p.m.

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dthroat (Anonymous) says…

Crispian- doc1 was right. lawrence cops didn't stop and search anybody. It is not their jurisdiction. The searching of cars coming off 70 was by the Highway Patrol and the stuff at the festival was a bunch of agencies but not Lawrence cops.
18 April 2007
at 8:50 p.m.

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bearded_gnome (Anonymous) says…

“ordinary drive” and this just on the wire:

AP: -New York City-at a symposium of all scientists of the world, it is now reported that pigs do fly, ice cubes do not melt in hell, and a bear does not void himself in the woods!
26 May 2007
at 8:41 p.m.

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TtownKUlivin (Anonymous) says…

Yeah, I thought all that pulling over at Wakarusa fest was by the sheriff and highway patrol, both state run agencies. Yeah, oh my gosh let's wine about the Wakafestgoer's getting pulled over, by the way, what'd they find on a lot of people? Drugs? Oh, right I forgot, african americans were the only ones who did drugs. By the way Freetobe, Topeka has about 40,000 more people than Lawrence..that's more than just a little bit of a difference. I have to get out of Lawrence, I'd rather live in Topeka.
26 May 2007
at 8:44 p.m.

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TtownKUlivin (Anonymous) says…

Oh and I forgot, the damn Post Office gave Topeka it's zip code, not the people. I'm sure more cities have worse crime rates than topeka and there zip code isn't 666.