Continue the day’s trip with the extradition crew from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Judicial Division. In this segment, you’ll see how the deputies interact with the inmates and learn about security issues on their plane. See Part 1 here and find more about the extraditions by reading our story. (Watch Part 2 after the jump)
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A bar bouncer with no history of breaking the law got involved in a fracas, faced with two threatening patrons. The bouncer pulled a gun and fired a warning shot into the air. He now has a criminal record that could follow him for the next 10 years.
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Jeremy Thompson and his wife got in an argument. She was driving. He grabbed the steering wheel. A police officer saw the car swerve off the road and stopped it, finding the couple’s child in the back seat. Thompson was charged and convicted of felony endangering a child. The 28-year-old came to his sentencing with no other criminal history. Prosecutor Marc Bennett wondered if Thompson needed anger management.
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If mental illness seems like a recurring theme here, that’s because it often surfaces in our courts. A majority of Kansas prison inmates suffer from a mental disorder. Mark McGee was one of them. He spent 10 years in prison for a drug crime. He got out and five years later was convicted of breaking into a business. On probation, he began using drugs again. Judge David Kaufman had to decide if prison was the right place for McGee and his illnesses..
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Ryan Benson was in jail awaiting his day in court in Sedgwick County. But because of crowding in the local jail, he was being held in Ottawa County. After trying unsuccessfully to get a hold of his public defender, Lacy Gilmour, Benson filed a motion to fire her as his lawyer. Gilmour explains the difficulties of contacting clients long distance.
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Lacy Gilmour drew a murder case this week and explained what she looks for in defending a crime of violence. Her client: Frederick Fritz, accused of a shooting spree inside a west Wichita apartment last month, killing one and wounding two others. According to one witness, the shooting didn’t stop Fritz from trying to flirt with her.
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After listening to people argue all day, judges enjoy the opportunity to hear people say, “I do.” Most judges in Sedgwick County perform marriages outside of regular court business for a $40-$50 honorarium. Jerry Chebultz, 64, of Wichita and Nadiya Hryhorenko, 42, of Ukraine were among those deciding on a courthouse wedding.
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Every day, deputies in the Judicial Division escort defendants between jail and court, often under stressful and emotional circumstances. Once in the courtroom, defendants may get a rare chance to see their families. Deputies such as David Rank have to make decisions on how much to let loved ones interact with those in custody while maintaining safety and security in the courtroom.
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We’ve seen several defendants on Common Law receive probation instead of going to prison. But as public defender Lacy Gilmour explained, just because you get out of jail, that doesn’t mean freedom. Justin Kelly was lucky to get out, after skipping court last month. Judge James Fleetwood doubled his jail time, should he violate his probation. Kelly also learned when you show up for court with a Chinese tattoo, make sure the judge can’t read it.
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Lacy Orr was convicted of domestic violence against his former girlfriend three times in a year. This turned the crime from a misdemeanor into a felony. And as public defender Lacy Gilmour explained, Orr also gave up his last chance to stay out of prison.
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