Judge denies defendants request for a new attorney in solicitation case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 55-year-old Hutchinson man’s attempt to get a new attorney days ahead of his scheduled trial was denied Friday by District Judge Trish Rose.
Defense Attorney Justin Bravi, who is representing Steven Peterman, told the judge that his client isn’t happy with his representation and suggested that another attorney should be assigned. But, District Attorney Keith Schroeder told the judge that Bravi has done a good job in representing the defendant noting the arguments he’s made during pretrial and motions hearings and objected to any change. Judge Rose agreed with the state which prompted the defendant to start to complain about getting a fair trial. The judge cut him off saying the hearing is concluded.
As we have noted, Peterman was arrested back on Feb. 12. 2014 when he was allegedly waiting to pick up an underage girl in the parking lot of the Hutchinson Mall. He is accused of engaging in conversations via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15-year-old. He allegedly went to the mall to pick her up with the intention of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her sex.
He’s served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a case in 2001. But, he also has convictions for three counts of theft, perjury and issuing a worthless check. Those cases go back to 1979 and 1980.
The trial is set to begin Tuesday.
Hutch man free on bond in rape case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 24-year-old man is free on a $50,000 bond after his arrest on a single count of rape. Matthew Ledin is accused of the crimes involving a woman he apparently met on a dating site.
The two apparently got together and watched a movie and that’s when things apparently went to far. Other details of the case were not immediately available.
In court, he was told of the potential charge and possible penalty and was scheduled for a status hearing on March 4.
State and defense may work on agreement in Scott Lutz cases
Lutz
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — At this point, it looks like a 26-year-old man bound over in two cases from October will go to trial. Scott Lutz had turned down a plea offer from the state prior to the preliminary hearing and turned it down.
During a pretrial hearing Friday morning, Defense Attorney Alice Osburn told that court that there are no other offers from the state, so requested a jury trial setting. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell indicated that he would still be open to negotiating if the defendant is willing. Lutz indicated to Osburn that he was.
Judge Tim Chambers didn’t set any trial date, but did set a motion deadline of March 27.
Lutz is charged with two alternate counts of felony flee and elude and misdemeanor theft. This is the chase where he nearly struck a teenage girl who had gotten off a Buhler school bus and was about to cross the street. That was on Oct. 8. The second case involves the incidents on Oct. 12, when he was allegedly hiding in an attic of a residence and may have set a small fire in the attic. He was eventually forced out and gave himself up when they sprayed water into some holes in the roof. Charges in this case include aggravated arson, interference with law enforcement and battery of a law enforcement officer.
He had earlier declined to stipulate to violating his corrections in other cases in exchange for the state dropping the two most recent cases, but the catch was that he would be required to serve the over 18 years in prison.
The prior convictions include felony flee and elude, obstruction, manufacturing or attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, robbery, possession of a precursor to manufacturing meth, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal damage to property.
Hutch man charged with two counts of aggravated assault
A 31-year-0ld Hutchinson man has been formally charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Trent Harris made an appearance in court Friday morning where he was told of the charges by Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen. He’s accused of threatening two women with a machete back in the early in the morning hours of Feb. 22.
He is free on bond his next court appearance is scheduled for March 11.