HUTCHINSON, Kan. – They were supposed to start jury selection this morning for a 52-year-old Hutchinson man accused of stealing from the Salvation Army. But, the defendant, Kenneth Weis didn’t show up when scheduled to be there, so they will try again Wednesday.
Weis was supposed to be there at 9 a.m., but didn’t show till 10-minutes after 10, just after Judge Trish Rose dismissed the potential jurors. She then order the defendant into custody where he will be held to make sure he appears tomorrow.
So as it stands now, they will try to get the trial started Wednesday.
Weis is alleged to have taken items donated from the drop off boxes near the building at B & Main.
The state alleges that the thefts occurred on three different occasions, November 22, 2012, April 28, and May 19, 2013. Although the items taken have a value of less then a thousand dollars, the state still filed the charges as felonies because the defendant has two or more prior convictions for theft.
Weis is also charged with three counts of criminal trespass for being on property at B & Main on those same three occasions.