Bluml Wants Statements to Investigators Tossed

A teen accused of murder wants statements he made at the time of his arrest thrown out. Attorney Dan Monnat says, “Studies show suspects under the influence of alcohol or drugs have impaired recall and thus are susceptible during interrogation to being fed facts they internalize and then make false confessions…”

Drug Checkpoints… Are They Legal?

WICHITA, Kansas — DUI check lanes are legal…drug check lanes appear to be a legal question mark…. “No law enforcement officer has a constitutional privilege to manufacture a traffic violation that did not occur,” says KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat. “Such a stop would be an unreasonable seizure.….”

Free Speech Battle Heats Up

LAWRENCE, Kansas – Freedom of speech. It’s in the First Amendment. Some say it’s been dampened in Kansas. Says KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat: “The issue involved in the Board of Regents policy here, brings up exactly the question that has not been decided by the United States Supreme Court. That is, whether the rule restricting speech of public employees applies in academic freedom and scholarship.”

Questionnaire Could Determine Who Has to Take Drug Test for Welfare Benefits

WICHITA, Kansas – A drug abuse assessment form may become one of the factors that determines which welfare recipients will have to take a drug test to receive benefits. But how the test is administered may mean a person could be giving up Constitutional rights just to feed her or his family, says KSN Legal Expert Dan Monnat…

Entrapment Could Be Used In Defense of Loewen

WICHITA, Kan. — Terry Lee Loewen made national news when he tried to blow up his car on the tarmac at Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport. Court papers show Loewen reached out to people he thought were Al Qaida….But those people were really FBI agents. Attorneys say entrapment defense likely on tap for Loewen. “For there to be entrapment, two ingredients are necessary,” said Dan Monnat, KSNW Legal Analyst. “One, government inducement. Two, no predisposition by the accused to commit the crime…”

U.S. Supreme Court Says Kansas Death Sentence Shouldn’t Be Thrown Out

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court says a lower court should not have overturned the conviction and death sentence of a man who admitted killing a Kansas sheriff…. Capital punishment continues to be an ineffective and wasteful system for Kansas taxpayers, according to attorney and KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat. “Besides the Cheever case, the Kansas Supreme Court has reversed 6 out of 6 other death sentences, and the Kansas Supreme Court has yet to uphold on appeal any Kansas death sentence….”

Hearing Could Reveal Tipster’s Identity

WICHITA — A motions hearing will determine whether or not the identity of a Crime Stoppers tipster can be revealed for the trial of an accused murderer…. “The problem with every informant is, what is their motivation? Is it to work off their own case? Their own crime?” asks criminal defense attorney Dan Monnat. He says if the anonymous information is in the possession of the prosecutor, the prosecutor may have a duty…

Derby High School Adds Breathalyzer to After School Activities

DERBY, Kansas — Derby High School already has random drug testing. Add the AlcoBlow to the list…. But, is it legal? “Maybe the bigger question here is how will the school do this?” asks legal analyst and Wichita attorney Dan Monnat. “Might we find that a disproportionate number of students with face metal and tattoos … or who wear hoodies are being tested? The school has to be very careful…”

Four Months After Arrest, Former WPD Sergeant Not Charged

It’s been nearly four months since the arrest of a former Wichita Police Sergeant accused of child sex crimes, but there has yet to be a case filed against him. A number of things are likely hindering the case, says Dan Monnat.

“The accusation was not made until almost 12 years after it supposedly happened. That will seriously hinder law enforcement officers in tracking down and interviewing other possible witnesses… Memories fade, particularly with children,” Monnat said…