Judge reduces bond for murder suspect
Accused in death of motorist on S.W. Western.
By STEVE FRY
The Capital-Journal
A Shawnee County District Court judge Wednesday reduced bond for a 16-year-old charged with the Oct. 3 shooting death of Dennis R. Campbell.
Tray Omar Eugene Porter is charged with felony first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and attempted sale of marijuana. His bond was reduced from $500,000 with professional surety to a $10,000 own recognizance cash bond.
He remained in the Shawnee County Jail late Wednesday.
Two others -- Carlos Jerome Jackson, 17, and Tramel Porter, 15, a cousin of Tray Porter's -- also are charged in the Campbell slaying.
Jackson is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery. Tramel Porter is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
Campbell, 24, died Oct. 3 after he was shot late Oct. 2 while driving in the 1300 block of S.W. Western. Police said Campbell was shot after a deal involving a small amount of marijuana turned into an attempted robbery.
Tray Porter had appeared Tuesday before Judge Thomas Conklin to request a lower bond, and the judge issued his ruling Wednesday.
Wendell Betts, Tray Porter's assistant public defender, told Conklin on Tuesday that detectives would testify Tramel Porter told police that Jackson shot Campbell and that Tray Porter told police he wasn't in the car and didn't participate in the slaying.
Detectives interviewed Tray Porter on Oct. 8 after he surrendered late that day, Betts said.
And the detectives believed what Tray Porter told them because they had corroboration of his statement, Betts said.
Police released Tray Porter after the interview, but District Attorney Joan Hamilton told them the following day to take him back into custody.
Betts urged Conklin to lower the bond, saying there wasn't any reason to hold Tray Porter in jail for something he didn't do.
Tray Porter automatically entered the adult court system rather than the juvenile system because he already had convictions for what would be two person felonies in juvenile court.
Conklin scheduled Tray Porter's preliminary hearing for Oct. 23.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Judge reduces bond for murder suspect
Accused in death of motorist on S.W. Western.
By STEVE FRY
The Capital-Journal
A Shawnee County District Court judge Wednesday reduced bond for a 16-year-old charged with the Oct. 3 shooting death of Dennis R. Campbell.
Tray Omar Eugene Porter is charged with felony first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and attempted sale of marijuana. His bond was reduced from $500,000 with professional surety to a $10,000 own recognizance cash bond.
He remained in the Shawnee County Jail late Wednesday.
Two others -- Carlos Jerome Jackson, 17, and Tramel Porter, 15, a cousin of Tray Porter's -- also are charged in the Campbell slaying.
Jackson is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery. Tramel Porter is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
Campbell, 24, died Oct. 3 after he was shot late Oct. 2 while driving in the 1300 block of S.W. Western. Police said Campbell was shot after a deal involving a small amount of marijuana turned into an attempted robbery.
Tray Porter had appeared Tuesday before Judge Thomas Conklin to request a lower bond, and the judge issued his ruling Wednesday.
Wendell Betts, Tray Porter's assistant public defender, told Conklin on Tuesday that detectives would testify Tramel Porter told police that Jackson shot Campbell and that Tray Porter told police he wasn't in the car and didn't participate in the slaying.
Detectives interviewed Tray Porter on Oct. 8 after he surrendered late that day, Betts said.
And the detectives believed what Tray Porter told them because they had corroboration of his statement, Betts said.
Police released Tray Porter after the interview, but District Attorney Joan Hamilton told them the following day to take him back into custody.
Betts urged Conklin to lower the bond, saying there wasn't any reason to hold Tray Porter in jail for something he didn't do.
Tray Porter automatically entered the adult court system rather than the juvenile system because he already had convictions for what would be two person felonies in juvenile court.
Conklin scheduled Tray Porter's preliminary hearing for Oct. 23.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Lower bond denied for murder suspect
By STEVE FRY
The Capital-Journal
A district judge Thursday declined to reduce the bond for a man charged with a slaying committed during a drug robbery in 1997.
James N. Fulton, 22, 1416 S.E. 8th, had asked Shawnee County District Judge Jan Leuenberger to lower his $250,000 bond to one he could afford.
Fulton is charged with felony first-degree murder in the slaying of Kevin Fraser. The homicide occurred on July 31, 1997, at 424 S.E. Locust. Another man, Silas Swopes, was wounded in the incident, which authorities say took place during a busted drug deal in which Fraser was to sell 18 ounces of cocaine valued at $15,300 to Fulton's brother, Jason Fulton.
Charges against James Fulton also include aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, intentional aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, deliver or distribute and conspiracy to commit possession of cocaine with intent to sell, deliver or distribute.
Dwight L. Miller, Fulton's defense attorney, on Thursday suggested a $5,000 professional surety bond, saying his client would comply with a series of conditions, including electronic monitoring, obtaining a job and abiding by a curfew.
Evidence in the case indicates James Fulton wasn't the gunman who fatally shot Fraser, and Fulton doesn't have any convictions of violent crimes or non-person offenses as an adult, Miller said.
Fulton also has family ties to keep him in Topeka, Miller said, noting Fulton's mother, grandmother and four children are here.
The purpose of bond, Miller said, is to assure the defendant will show up at his court appearances.
Assistant District Attorney James Brown told Leuenberger that prosecutors are "vehemently opposed" to any reduction in bond.
Fulton is a risk to flee Topeka if released from the Shawnee County Jail, Brown said.
"This man is not even a candidate for bond reduction," Brown said.
Brown also said Fulton, if convicted of first-degree murder, faces a potential life sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years.
A primary witness in the Fulton case, Jerry Hall, has been fatally shot and other witnesses have been approached by people trying to influence their testimony, Brown said.
In declining to reduce Fulton's bond, Leuenberger noted another purpose of bond is to ensure the safety of the public. Fulton is scheduled to be tried starting Nov. 9.
Jason A. Fulton, 21, was sentenced Aug. 7 to a life term for a conviction of felony first-degree murder and two concurrent nine-month terms each for possession with intent to sell, deliver or distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess the cocaine, all in connection with the Fraser slaying.
He was convicted of those charges on June 30.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
A Shawnee County District Court judge Wednesday reduced bond for a 16-year-old charged with the Oct. 3 shooting death of Dennis R. Campbell.
Tray Omar Eugene Porter is charged with felony first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and attempted sale of marijuana. His bond was reduced from $500,000 with professional surety to a $10,000 own recognizance cash bond.
He remained in the Shawnee County Jail late Wednesday.
Two others -- Carlos Jerome Jackson, 17, and Tramel Porter, 15, a cousin of Tray Porter's -- also are charged in the Campbell slaying.
Jackson is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery. Tramel Porter is charged with first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
Campbell, 24, died Oct. 3 after he was shot late Oct. 2 while driving in the 1300 block of S.W. Western. Police said Campbell was shot after a deal involving a small amount of marijuana turned into an attempted robbery.
Tray Porter had appeared Tuesday before Judge Thomas Conklin to request a lower bond, and the judge issued his ruling Wednesday.
Wendell Betts, Tray Porter's assistant public defender, told Conklin on Tuesday that detectives would testify Tramel Porter told police that Jackson shot Campbell and that Tray Porter told police he wasn't in the car and didn't participate in the slaying.
Detectives interviewed Tray Porter on Oct. 8 after he surrendered late that day, Betts said.
And the detectives believed what Tray Porter told them because they had corroboration of his statement, Betts said.
Police released Tray Porter after the interview, but District Attorney Joan Hamilton told them the following day to take him back into custody.
Betts urged Conklin to lower the bond, saying there wasn't any reason to hold Tray Porter in jail for something he didn't do.
Tray Porter automatically entered the adult court system rather than the juvenile system because he already had convictions for what would be two person felonies in juvenile court.
Conklin scheduled Tray Porter's preliminary hearing for Oct. 23.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Lower bond denied for murder suspect
By STEVE FRY
The Capital-Journal
A district judge Thursday declined to reduce the bond for a man charged with a slaying committed during a drug robbery in 1997.
James N. Fulton, 22, 1416 S.E. 8th, had asked Shawnee County District Judge Jan Leuenberger to lower his $250,000 bond to one he could afford.
Fulton is charged with felony first-degree murder in the slaying of Kevin Fraser. The homicide occurred on July 31, 1997, at 424 S.E. Locust. Another man, Silas Swopes, was wounded in the incident, which authorities say took place during a busted drug deal in which Fraser was to sell 18 ounces of cocaine valued at $15,300 to Fulton's brother, Jason Fulton.
Charges against James Fulton also include aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, intentional aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, deliver or distribute and conspiracy to commit possession of cocaine with intent to sell, deliver or distribute.
Dwight L. Miller, Fulton's defense attorney, on Thursday suggested a $5,000 professional surety bond, saying his client would comply with a series of conditions, including electronic monitoring, obtaining a job and abiding by a curfew.
Evidence in the case indicates James Fulton wasn't the gunman who fatally shot Fraser, and Fulton doesn't have any convictions of violent crimes or non-person offenses as an adult, Miller said.
Fulton also has family ties to keep him in Topeka, Miller said, noting Fulton's mother, grandmother and four children are here.
The purpose of bond, Miller said, is to assure the defendant will show up at his court appearances.
Assistant District Attorney James Brown told Leuenberger that prosecutors are "vehemently opposed" to any reduction in bond.
Fulton is a risk to flee Topeka if released from the Shawnee County Jail, Brown said.
"This man is not even a candidate for bond reduction," Brown said.
Brown also said Fulton, if convicted of first-degree murder, faces a potential life sentence with parole eligibility after 15 years.
A primary witness in the Fulton case, Jerry Hall, has been fatally shot and other witnesses have been approached by people trying to influence their testimony, Brown said.
In declining to reduce Fulton's bond, Leuenberger noted another purpose of bond is to ensure the safety of the public. Fulton is scheduled to be tried starting Nov. 9.
Jason A. Fulton, 21, was sentenced Aug. 7 to a life term for a conviction of felony first-degree murder and two concurrent nine-month terms each for possession with intent to sell, deliver or distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess the cocaine, all in connection with the Fraser slaying.
He was convicted of those charges on June 30.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Police catch fugitive Lopez
Murder suspect had been hiding for more than three weeks.
By ANDREA ALBRIGHT
The Capital-Journal
Topeka police arrested a man who had been placed on the "Kansas Most Wanted" list for a June slaying Tuesday night after a search that lasted more than three weeks.
Adrian "Angel" Lopez, 18, was discovered in a cabin at 2515 S.E. 6th and arrested in connection with the murder of Carlos T. Martinez.
Martinez was shot shortly before noon June 21 by an occupant of the car he was driving east on S.E. 4th Street. The car veered off the road into a parking lot, where police found Martinez bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. Martinez died the next day.
Another passenger in the car reportedly spoke with police and identified Lopez as the shooter. Lopez was placed on the "Kansas Most Wanted" list June 30.
Topeka Police Detective Steve Taylor said Wednesday that an anonymous call about Lopez's whereabouts led to his arrest.
Taylor said that Tuesday night, eight to 10 officers went to the cabin about 10 p.m. where police executed the warrant. Lopez was found hiding in a shower stall and was arrested after a slight struggle, according to police. No one was injured.
Police said Mark L. Chavez Jr. also was arrested at the cabin for possibly aiding and abetting Lopez while he was a fugitive.
According to Kansas statutes, a person is equally responsible for a crime committed by another if that person intentionally helps the criminal.
By law, Chavez, an acquaintance of Lopez, could face a penalty equal to that for first-degree murder.
Lt. Randy Mills said police had checked and searched for Lopez in about 20 residences around Topeka. He said they had nearly caught Lopez several times.
"We had sightings in various locations around town," Mills said. "At one point, we were pulling up out front and he was leaving out the rear; that's how close we were."
Although the arrest was made at a location close to the restaurant where Bill Waylans was killed June 27, Maj. Ed White said police didn't have information that could tie Lopez to the case.
"At this time, the murders are not linkable," he said.
However, Mills said information from the community in that area still could be helpful in solving the Waylans slaying.
"This is a close-knit neighborhood," he said. "There are eyes and ears everywhere."
Lopez is being held in the Shawnee County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 professional surety bond for the first-degree murder warrant and a $100,000 bond for aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery in an unrelated case. He also faces bonds for two other unrelated cases.
A public defender has been appointed for Lopez, who will appear in court again July 15.
Chavez is being held in Shawnee County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 professional surety bond for aiding and abetting a felon. He will make his first appearance in court today at 1:30 p.m.
Copyright 1998 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Chavez's bond reduced to $10,000
Suspect remains in jail.
By STEVE FRY
The Capital-Journal
A defense lawyer for Mark Chavez asked a judge Monday to reduce Chavez's $100,000 professional surety bond, saying Chavez wasn't aware a man he knew as "Chuco" was murder suspect Adrian "Angel" Lopez when he allowed Lopez to sleep at the his residence.
Chavez is charged with aiding a felon.
Shawnee County District Judge Jan Leuenberger on Monday changed Chavez's bond to a $10,000 recognizance cash deposit bond. Chavez, 18, 1291 S.W. Mulvane, remained in Shawnee County Jail Monday afternoon in lieu of the bond.
A recognizance cash deposit bond requires the defendant to post 10 percent of the value of the bond. If the defendant makes all court appearances, all the bond except 1 percent of the face value is returned to the defendant. Fines or assessments are deducted from the cash returned to the defendant.
Chavez didn't know that Lopez, who was introduced to Chavez as "Chuco," was the man wanted by law enforcement officers, defense attorney Dwight Miller said.
Chavez's girlfriend asked Chavez to let Lopez sleep at his house for a while, saying Lopez had been kicked out of his home by his mother, Miller said.
Leuenberger imposed a series of conditions on Chavez. He isn't to have contact with witnesses linked to the case and must live with his mother, maintain contact with Miller, report to a court services officer for bond supervision and comply with a
2:30 a.m. curfew on nights he works until 1 a.m. On nights he doesn't work, he is to be home by 10 p.m.
First Assistant District Attorney Joel Meinecke said Chavez should have a professional surety bond and should be supervised by a court services officer. If his mother posts her son's bond, Meinecke said, she should be financially responsible for her son's appearance in court.