District Attorney

The Shawnee County District Attorney who is looking into some dinners at the Governor's mansion is narrowing his focus. The DA originally asked for all 165-lawmakers to save their records related to a series of dinners with Governor Sam Brownback last month. Now the DA is withdrawing part of his request, asking only those attended the dinners to save records. Governor Brownback hosted republicans from 13 legislative committees, and the DA thinks that's in violation of the, "Kansas Open Meeting Act. " The act requires a meeting to be open to the public when a majority of a body is present.

Sedgwick County will have a new district attorney in 2013. Two candidates vying for that position squared-off in their first candidate forum in South Wichita Thursday. Marc Bennett and Kevin O'Connor met voters and took questions at the event hosted by the Kansas Republican Assembly. Both have worked for current Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston. She announced in September she is not seeking re-election. Bennett is a Deputy District Attorney and has worked in the office 14 years.

By Michael Schwanke (Wichita, KS) Incumbent Nola Foulston recently began her television ad campaign for district attorney.  She is facing Wichita attorney Mark Schoenhofer. In a recent commercial she makes claims about her challenger. FactFinder 12 checked those claims to find out what's fact and what's not. Ad claims: "So Mark Schoenhofer wants the job of district attorney. Would you hire him? He's never prosecuted a felony case let alone a murder trial.

The District Attorney's office is warning residents about a phishing scam.  DA Nola Tedesco Foulston's office says it's received numerous complaints from consumers reporting they received an e-mail from the shopping website, Amazon. That email describes a recent purchase of a television or other items being shipped to somewhere other than the address of the consumer.  Those reporting the email say they hadn't made purchases on Amazon. The DA's office says the emails are NOT from Amazon, but from scammers who want to get your Amazon account number or login information.

Sedgwick County voters got to hear from two people who want to be the next District Attorney. The Wichita Pachyderm Club hosted a forum with the two Republican candidates in the 18th Judicial District. Kevin O'Connor spent several years in the DA's office before leaving. He most recently helped the prosecution in the Adam Longoria case. O'Connor is running against Marc Bennett, a current prosecutor in the Sedgwick County DA's office. Bennet told us, "I think my experience of the last 17 years as a prosecutor gives me the insight to know how not to run an office of this size.

Friday afternoon, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department turned over its investigation involving David Kendall to the District Attorney.  The DA will now decide whether to charge the 21-year-old with sex crimes against inmates. Kendall is accused of raping two inmates.  He bonded out of jail Thursday.  He was being held on a $100,000 bond. Kendall has hired Wichita attorney Roger Falk.  Falk says in order to bond out, Kendall would wear an electronic monitoring device and check in with pretrial services.

Two Derby men have been arrested in connection to vandalizing a local Walmart. The police department said Harrison Schroeder, 22, and Skyler Williams, 23, were arrested Thursday. They are being held in the Sedgwick County jail on burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. Police said the men broke into the Neighborhood Market store, 1106 S. Rock Rd., last month. The store was under construction. Survelliance video captured the suspects using construction equipment to vandalize the store.

It's shaping up to be very close in two local election races. Our partners at SURVEY USA have just released the latest scientific poll on the races for Sedgwick County Sherrif and District Attorney. In the Sheriff's race, current Sheriff  Bob Hinshaw leads with 43% of those responding. Police captain Jeff Easter is favored by 42% with 15% undecided. It's also close between district attorney candidates Marc Bennett with 37% and Kevin O'Connor with 36%. More than a quarter of those questioned are undecided in this race.

Name: Kevin O'Connor Party: Republican Email: kevin@oconnor4da.com Phone: 316-469-9747 "I'm running for District Attorney because I believe Sedgwick County deserves leadership that promotes excellence, integrity, & fairness. To meet the challenges facing our community, we need a proven leader with the knowledge, expertise, and passion to lead this important office. Thank you for your support. " Kevin O'Connor

Two Derby men have been arrested in connection to vandalizing a local Walmart. The police department said Harrison Schroeder, 22, and Skyler Williams, 23, were arrested Thursday. They are being held in the Sedgwick County jail on burglary, theft, and criminal damage to property. Police said the men broke into the Neighborhood Market store, 1106 S. Rock Rd., last month. The store was under construction. Survelliance video captured the suspects using construction equipment to vandalize the store.

An investigation into a coroner's office employee could affect criminal cases in Sedgwick County. Depending on the circumstances, stealing from a body might be considered tampering with evidence. But to a defense attorney, lying is the bigger issue. Police are investigating an employee at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center who may have taken property from at least one body, which could include gold teeth. The science center performs autopsies and other forensic work.

The District Attorney's office is warning residents about a phishing scam.  DA Nola Tedesco Foulston's office says it's received numerous complaints from consumers reporting they received an e-mail from the shopping website, Amazon. That email describes a recent purchase of a television or other items being shipped to somewhere other than the address of the consumer.  Those reporting the email say they hadn't made purchases on Amazon. The DA's office says the emails are NOT from Amazon, but from scammers who want to get your Amazon account number or login information.

Voters in Sedgwick County cast ballots Tuesday to determine the next district attorney for the 18th Judicial District which includes Wichita. Marc Bennett defeated Kevin O'Connor 54% to 45%. The vote totals were 21,590 for Bennett and 18,232 for O'Connor. Bennett says he's humbled by all of the support he's received.  "It was a long night but it was worth the wait," he said.  Bennett also spoke highly of O'Connor calling him a good man and a good lawyer.

The two biggest races in Wichita and Sedgwick County in 2012 are for District Attorney and Sheriff. FactFinder 12 has broken down the job responsibilities of each position to help inform you, the voter. District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District (Sedgwick County & Wichita) Prosecutes violations of the criminal laws of Kansas; institutes proceedings to protect abused and neglected children; prosecutes juvenile offenders; secures care and treatment in alcohol, drug and mental commitment cases; appears before the appellate courts of Kansas, the federal courts and the United States Supreme Court regarding civil and criminal appeals; enforces the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and other statutory civil proceedings as provided by law; and provides services to victims and witnesses to ensure their fair treatment in the criminal justice system.

Name: Kevin O'Connor Party: Republican Email: kevin@oconnor4da.com Phone: 316-469-9747 "I'm running for District Attorney because I believe Sedgwick County deserves leadership that promotes excellence, integrity, & fairness. To meet the challenges facing our community, we need a proven leader with the knowledge, expertise, and passion to lead this important office. Thank you for your support. " Kevin O'Connor

It's shaping up to be very close in two local election races. Our partners at SURVEY USA have just released the latest scientific poll on the races for Sedgwick County Sherrif and District Attorney. In the Sheriff's race, current Sheriff  Bob Hinshaw leads with 43% of those responding. Police captain Jeff Easter is favored by 42% with 15% undecided. It's also close between district attorney candidates Marc Bennett with 37% and Kevin O'Connor with 36%. More than a quarter of those questioned are undecided in this race.

Friday afternoon, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department turned over its investigation involving David Kendall to the District Attorney.  The DA will now decide whether to charge the 21-year-old with sex crimes against inmates. Kendall is accused of raping two inmates.  He bonded out of jail Thursday.  He was being held on a $100,000 bond. Kendall has hired Wichita attorney Roger Falk.  Falk says in order to bond out, Kendall would wear an electronic monitoring device and check in with pretrial services.

Sedgwick County voters got to hear from two people who want to be the next District Attorney. The Wichita Pachyderm Club hosted a forum with the two Republican candidates in the 18th Judicial District. Kevin O'Connor spent several years in the DA's office before leaving. He most recently helped the prosecution in the Adam Longoria case. O'Connor is running against Marc Bennett, a current prosecutor in the Sedgwick County DA's office. Bennet told us, "I think my experience of the last 17 years as a prosecutor gives me the insight to know how not to run an office of this size.

The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office says a recent "prank" at a Wichita Subway is similiar to a game called "Urban Skittles. " Three teens from Heights High School could face charges after police say they walked into the restaurant on N. Rock Road Monday morning and told everyone to get on the floor. The teens counted the customers and then left. "We don't believe they were trying to commit an actual robbery," Wichita police Lt. Doug Nolte said Tuesday.