Defendant may testify during motions hearing in murder case
A man facing a murder charge in Leavenworth may testify in court later this week.
A defense attorney said Cody J. Nichols probably will testify Thursday during a motions hearing in Leavenworth County District Court.
Nichols, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the July 18 shooting death of Sanquan M. Brooks in Leavenworth.
Nichols is accused of what is known as felony murder, which is a form of first-degree murder. Felony murder occurs when someone is killed during the commission of a felony that is considered inherently dangerous.
Prosecutors argue the shooting occurred during a drug transaction. But Nichols’ attorney, Gregory Robinson, argues his client was the victim of an attempted robbery.
The Leavenworth Times
A trial has been scheduled for a man facing an attempted murder charge in Leavenworth County, according to court records.
A jury trial for Daniel W. Owens is scheduled to begin Oct. 4 in Leavenworth County District Court.
Owens, 45, is charged with attempted second-degree murder. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 13, 2019, at a residence in Easton.
The victim testified during a June 28, 2019, hearing that he was shot multiple times after Owens allegedly forced his way into the home.
The trial date was selected Friday during a pretrial conference. The parties participated in Friday’s hearing through the Zoom online videoconferencing service, according to court records.
The Leavenworth Times
A hearing to discuss the competency of a rural Easton man who faces charges of indecent liberties with children has been continued until next month.
The hearing for Donald R. Jackson Sr. was continued until May 28 because the defendant has not yet undergone an evaluation.
Jackson, 62, has two criminal cases pending against him in Leavenworth County District Court. In each case, he faces a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2019. The cases involve different victims, according to court records.
District Judge Gerald Kuckelman ordered a competency evaluation for Jackson last month at the request of defense attorney Thomas Bath.
A man has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in Leavenworth County, according to court records.
Jeffery M. Samulczyk entered the plea Wednesday during an arraignment in Leavenworth County District Court.
A jury trial is now scheduled in the case for Jan. 10, according to court records.
Samulczyk, 37, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and interference with law enforcement. The charges are connected to the stabbing death of Joshua Gilson, who was found dead Oct. 30 at his Leavenworth home.
Samulczyk remains in custody at the Leavenworth County Jail.
Gilson’s wife, Alexandra, also is charged in connection to her husband’s death.
Defendant pleads to indecent liberties
The Leavenworth Times
A Leavenworth man pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to a prosecution official.
James E. Hansen Jr., 49, entered the plea Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court.
The charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14 was filed against Hansen last year after it was reported to the Leavenworth Police Department that he inappropriately touched a child two years earlier, according to County Attorney Todd Thompson.
“Children don’t always disclose immediately, but it’s important for us to listen and take serious when they do,” Thompson said in a news release. “It’s also important for law enforcement to investigate these matters thoroughly so we can prove the case. We are very fortunate to have the law enforcement we do.”