For the second time in a row. a preliminary hearing for a 37-year-old Hutchinson man was scheduled, however the victim and one of the states witnesses didn’t show for court. That caused the state to decide to dismiss the case against Michael Keaton without prejudice.
Keaton was accused of choking the victim to the point that they lost consciousness and he was charged with aggravated battery which could have seen him receive as much as 172-months in prison, but that won’t happen now unless the state can locate the victim and convince them they need to come to court. Then they could potentially refile the charges of aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.
Keaton does have prior convictions include unlawful manufacturing, possession of drugs, obstruction and driving while suspended. He was released from prison on those charges, however a Department of Corrections warrant has been issued, because of the new case.
Earlier felony convictions include burglary, forgery, trafficking in contraband inside a correctional facility and possession of drug paraphernalia for cases occurring in both Pratt and Reno Counties.
The crimes in the case just dismissed occurred back in January, prior to his arrest in the aggravated battery case.