A judge on Friday denied a request from prosecutors to raise the bond of a 17-year-old murder suspect who is accused in a June 7 botched robbery in east Lawrence.
District Judge Michael Malone said he had appropriately set bond for Kellam D. Jones at $250,000. Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson had asked Malone to double it based on the severity of the allegation and potentially long sentence if convicted.
Jones faces charges of felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery. A felony murder conviction carries a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
Julia Spainhour, a defense attorney of the Northeast Kansas Conflict Office, said Jones would be unable to make his $250,000 bond anyway. Spainhour and Kip Elliott took over the case after Craig Stancliffe withdrew earlier this week because of conflicts with potential witnesses and his busy caseload.
Prosecutors accuse Jones and Gage Hauk, 18, of trying to rob Roland Klundt, on June 7 at Klundt's home, 1311 Del. Prosecutors allege Klundt shot and killed Hauk to try to stop the robbery and that Jones then killed Klundt.
Malone also scheduled a preliminary hearing for Nov. 13.
Comments
Munsoned 8 years, 8 months ago
No kidding
somedude20 8 years, 8 months ago
How is it that the kid who blew up a mailbox is looking at 40+ years and this kid (who killed people)is only facing 20+ years? Happy to see that justice system is working!
igby 8 years, 8 months ago
His lawyer should ask for house arrest since he's under 18.Lol
denak 8 years, 8 months ago
Somedude,I agree it sounds a little skewed but it bet it has to do with the fact that blowing up a mailbox might be a federal crime.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.