AG’s office asked to take solicitation case

Douglas County prosecutors have asked Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison’s office to take over a Lawrence child solicitation case.

Amy McGowan, chief assistant district attorney for trial management, told Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone on Wednesday that prosecutors were still working on handing over the case of Stephen R. Stout to the attorney general’s office.

Stout, 47, is accused of trying to lure a 13-year-old girl into a car Dec. 20 outside of West Junior High School.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson has sought a special prosecutor in the case because as a defense attorney in 2000 Branson represented Stout in an exposure case. Stout was granted diversion in that case.

Initially, Douglas County prosecutors had hoped Jefferson County Attorney Mike Hayes would prosecute Stout, but McGowan announced Wednesday they were now seeking help from Morrison’s office. Malone scheduled Stout’s preliminary hearing for Jan. 16.