Absent plea deal, trial in car chase that injured officer to begin next week

Prosecutors have not tried to negotiate a plea deal with a Topeka woman accused of striking a Lawrence police officer with her car during a chase in December.

Attorneys during a hearing Monday morning said they expected next week’s jury trial for Barbara Jo Schnegelsiepen, 28, to proceed. She faces several felony charges, including aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer.

Prosecutors accuse Schnegelsiepen of fleeing police in a stolen car as she was a burglary suspect. Lawrence police officer Doug Payne was struck by a vehicle the morning of Dec. 2 on U.S. Highway 40 east of Big Springs as he was trying to place stop sticks on the highway.

“Frankly, we’d like to enter some kind of plea, but we’ve not been offered anything other than straight-up plea,” Schnegelsiepen’s defense attorney John C. Johnson said.

Douglas County District Judge Peggy Kittel has scheduled the trial to last the entire week.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence to support their accusations that Schnegelsiepen led officers on a dangerous chase from Lawrence into western Douglas County. She faces seven felony charges and three misdemeanor counts.

The trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection next Monday morning.