D.A. clears detective in shooting

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson won’t file criminal charges against any member of the Lawrence Police Department in the shooting death of a Lawrence woman last year.

In a letter written to Police Chief Ron Olin on Friday, Branson said that Detective Troy Squire was justified in the Sept. 24 shooting of Marsha Mace to protect himself, other officers and the public.

“In fact, the evidence developed in the investigation, including handwritten letters found in the residence, indicates that Mace’s conduct was likely intended to provoke the police officers at the scene to shoot her,” Branson wrote in a five-page letter. “Therefore, no criminal charges will be filed against Detective Squire in the shooting of Mace.”

Mace was shot at the end of a four-and-a-half hour standoff with police at a residence in the 100 block of Michigan Street. She died later that day at Kansas University Medical Center.

According to Branson’s letter, officers said Mace walked out the front door of the residence, looked directly at two officers and fired one bullet at the officers with a black revolver.

Squire fired three shots, according to the report. Investigators conducted interviews with several witnesses, two who said officers told Mace to put her hands in the air before hearing gunshots.

An autopsy indicated that Mace died from two gunshot wounds, one to her chest and the other to her leg.

It also showed there was no evidence that Mace had brain tumors; Mace told an officer that she was suffering from four brain tumors, which she said caused her to lose her job.

A toxicology report indicated the presence of alcohol, an antidepressant and cocaine.

Attempts to reach a member of Mace’s family were unsuccessful Saturday.