Judge Martin Controversy

Douglas County District Judge Paula Martin was up for retention on Nov. 2, 2004 for another four-year term. A group of citizens, led by the mother of a 13-year-old rape victim outraged by the sentences Martin handed down in that case, organized an unsuccesful campaign to remove Martin from office on the premise that Martin's sentences had been too lenient - the first time a formal effort had been made to remove a local judge. Other citizens came to Martin's defense and said the court has benefited from her judicial experience and wisdom.

Martin survived the attempt to remove her from the bench, with 63 percent of the voters saying they wanted her to stay in office for another four-year term.

In this section you'll find coverage of Judge Martin's decisions, including subsequent developments in the cases that inspired the drive to remove her from the bench, as well as community reaction to the issues raised by her sentences.

42-year-old man sentenced for two sex crimes
By Jesse Fray
February 9, 2009
Guy Drum pleaded no contest in November to aggravated indecent liberties with a child and attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
Stabbing conviction brings probation
January 17, 2009
A Douglas County judge on Friday sentenced a Lawrence man to serve two years on probation for a stabbing during a February 2008 bar fight.
Report recommends Judges Malone and Martin be retained
By Jesse Fray
August 29, 2008
Douglas County District Judges Paula Martin and Michael Malone should be retained by voters in November, according to state government report cards released Friday.
Jury seated in Boardwalk fire retrial
By Eric Weslander
May 1, 2007
On the advice of his attorney, Jason A. Rose rarely lifts his eyes to look directly at the people who will be deciding whether he’s guilty of murder and arson. “A lot of times he has to do what he’s doing now - just look down,” his attorney, Ron Evans, said Monday during jury selection. “He really can’t win a body language game with you folks. Anything he does you could take the wrong way.”
Mistaken arrest may lock out bondsman
By Eric Weslander
September 6, 2006
Armed bounty hunters took Robert D. Davis II from the comfort of his home last week and delivered him to jail; the next day he appeared before a Douglas County judge.
Appeals court overturns ruling favoring fraternity
May 9, 2006
A fraternity-house dispute is headed back to Douglas County court after the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled a local judge abused her discretion and “did not have due regard for what was just and fair” in a decision about the case.
Hearing scheduled in downtown shooting
March 10, 2006
The Topeka man charged in a Feb. 5 shooting death outside a downtown nightclub made a brief court appearance Thursday, again under tightened courtroom security.
Lawrence man stands trial for infant’s murder
February 17, 2006
A judge orders a Lawrence man accused of killing his 5-month-old daughter to stand trial. After a day long hearing Judge Paula Martin found probable cause to bind Jay Decker over on trial on first degree murder charges.
Driver killed in one-vehicle accident on county road
By George Diepenbrock
January 14, 2006
A Douglas County woman died Friday evening after a rollover accident five miles south of Lawrence at a curve on Douglas County Road 460. Medical units and deputies were called at 4:51 p.m. to the scene about two miles west of the Zarco 66 station on U.S. Highway 59, said Lt. Kari Wempe, spokeswoman for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Prison time ordered in resentencing for teen rape
By Eric Weslander
December 7, 2005
Two men originally given 60 days in jail for the statutory rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old girl were ordered to prison Tuesday.
Martin hands down tougher rape conviction sentences
By Eric Weslander
December 6, 2005
Two men originally given 60 days in jail for the statutory rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old were sentenced to prison this morning. Judge Paula Martin was ordered by the Kansas Court of Appeals to hand down new sentences to Brian K. Ussery, Tonganoxie, and William N. Haney, Lawrence.
Another hearing set stemming from rape
J-W Staff Reports
December 2, 2005
A judge heard more evidence Thursday about whether a mentally disabled Lawrence man should lose his probation and go to prison for his role in the 2003 statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Judge hears testimony in 2003 sex crime
J-W Staff Reports
November 18, 2005
A judge heard testimony Thursday but didn’t make a decision about whether a mentally retarded man convicted of a sex crime against a 13-year-old girl should be sent to prison.
Court rejects rapists’ appeal
Men who assaulted teen face resentencing
By Eric Weslander
November 12, 2005
The Kansas Supreme Court has said it would not review the case of two men convicted in the 2003 statutory rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old girl - a decision that sets the stage for the men to be sentenced again.
Lawyer: Offender’s supervision inadequate
Prosecutors seek to revoke probation in 2003 sex assault
By Eric Weslander
October 8, 2005
A defense attorney said “someone dropped the ball” in supervising a mentally disabled man who was ordered to probation for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in a high-profile 2003 case.
Hearing scheduled in sexual assault case
J-W Staff Reports
September 9, 2005
It will be another month before a judge decides whether a Lawrence man should lose his probation and go to prison for his role in the statutory rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old girl.
Probation violations may land rapist in prison
By Eric Weslander
September 2, 2005
For the past year, he’s been free on probation, cleaning up trash around the courthouse for community-service work, going to bars and occasionally staying at a homeless shelter.
Appeals court: 13-year-old’s rapists must be resentenced
Judge deemed to have abused discretion in giving probation
By Eric Weslander
August 6, 2005
The Kansas Court of Appeals on Friday found a Douglas County judge was too lenient when she gave lightened sentences to two men who raped a 13-year-old girl.
Court says local judge too lenient in rape case
Court of Appeals orders new sentence for men accused of raping 13-year-old
By Scott Rothschild
August 5, 2005
The Kansas Court of Appeals today rejected Douglas County Judge Paula Martin’s sentences of two men in the rape of a 13-year-old girl, saying the judge was too lenient.
Rapist receives jail term after parole violations
Judge gives new sentence in case that triggered retention challenge
By Eric Weslander
April 20, 2005
She didn’t give him another chance. A Douglas County judge on Tuesday ordered a prison sentence for a man she initially allowed to be on probation for the controversial 2003 rape of an intoxicated 13-year-old girl.

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