Driver enters no-contest plea in December robbery near downtown

KCK woman agrees to testify against two co-defendants

A 21-year-old Kansas City, Kan., woman was convicted after a plea Thursday in connection with a December robbery near downtown Lawrence.

Ashley C. Johnson pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit robbery and misdemeanor theft after prosecutors accused her of driving two co-defendants to commit a robbery in the 300 block of West 12th Street.

The alleged robbery occurred Dec. 28 when a 20-year-old Lawrence man said he was walking in the area when a man got out of the vehicle, demanded his wallet and drove away. Prosecutors also accused Johnson of stealing a 22-year-old Lawrence woman’s purse and bank card earlier that night during a party at It’s Brothers, 1105 Mass.

Johnson, who was arrested in March, has agreed to testify against the two co-defendants in the case. Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Britton said prosecutors have filed charges against two men, but they haven’t yet been arrested.

Attorneys said they believed Johnson would qualify for probation in the case. District Judge Michael Malone scheduled Johnson’s sentencing for Sept. 23. She remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $25,000 bond.