Ketner Takes Plea Deal, Probation

DODGE City, Kan. — Dodge City pastor Jerrold Wayne Ketner pled guilty to a single count of aggravated sexual battery as part of a plea agreement with the state that dropped six other felony charges, including rape and attempted rape. “Dr. Ketner has accepted responsibility,” Ketner’s attorney Sal Intagliata said, pointing out the number of supporters in the courtroom which he said have helped and will continue to help Ketner meet the conditions of his probation.

Dan Monnat Comments for KSN on Teen Sexting

GARDEN CITY, Kansas – At least six Garden City teens could face charges for allegedly texting nude photos of a Garden City High School student when she was 13 years old. KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat says the case hinges on who possesses the photos with the criminal intent to transmit them and, most important, whether the photos were obtained by a warrant, per the recent Supreme Court ruling. “We have to ask a question this week that we wouldn’t have had to ask last week: ‘Did the law enforcement officers here acquire the images from the sexting telephones with a valid search warrant?’ If they didn’t, then the photos cannot be admitted into evidence, and probably, these individuals need to go free of being accused of any crime.”

Wichitans React to Ruling that Could Clear the Way for Same-Sex Marriage

WICHITA, Kan. – Supporters of same-sex marriage may be closer to the ability to marry in Kansas thanks to a ruling by the 10th Circuit Court that struck down a Utah same-sex marriage ban that is also binding in Kansas. “Does the decision of the court necessarily say those law enforcement officials must issue licenses? No, because the 10th Circuit stayed its decision [pending an appeal to the Supreme Court],” legal analyst Dan Monnat said. “Whether or not the United States Supreme Court reviews this is a discretionary matter,” Monnat said.

Experts Weigh in on Ruling That Police Must Get Warrant to Search Cell Phones

WICHITA, Kansas – Individual privacy supporters applauded a Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that determined that the contents of cell phones can only be released to law enforcement through a search warrant, because “a person’s life… can be reconstructed, said the court, by means of their smartphone,” according to Dan Monnat, a legal analyst.

Battery Charge Dropped Under Kansas ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law

OAKLEY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been granted immunity from liability under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law for shooting a former employee. Wichita defense attorney Dan Monnat said, “under Kansas law a person has no duty to retreat as long as that person is defending a dwelling, an occupied vehicle or a place of business….”

Judge Considering Defense Expert in Bluml DNA Case

WICHITA, Kan. – A Sedgwick County judge is deciding whether an independent expert will be allowed in a room for DNA testing in regards to a double-murder. “If the prosecution can’t give the accused the second test that they’re entitled to, then the accused is entitled to the next best thing: An independent expert being present or videotaping of the prosecution’s one-sided test,” said local defense attorney Dan Monnat….

Loewen Makes Court Appearance

WICHITA, Kan. – The government is seeking more time to try the case of Terry Loewen, the man accused of plotting to set off a car bomb at the Wichita airport. “The government is saying that it conducted such an extensive, intensive, complex sting against this former United States Marine and long-time Wichita aircraft worker that it can’t even turn over all of its evidence within 120 days of arraignment,” said Attorney Dan Monnat. “Thus, the case should be called complex, and the government excused from the usual legal deadlines….”

Small Cameras Helping Keep Police Accountable

WICHITA, Kansas – More Wichita police officers are going to be wearing body cameras.
Says KSN Legal Analyst Dan Monnat, “Recording police-citizen encounters generally preserves civil rights. For one thing, it protects police from false claims of police brutality, and it protects the citizen from false claims of confession or a waiver of rights.”

Woman Found After Leaving Baby at Hospital Under Safe Haven Law

WICHITA – Police have found the woman who gave birth and surrendered her baby. However, the public release of her photo is drawing fire from supporters of the Safe Haven Law. “It remains to be seen whether dissemination of the mother’s identity, history and photograph violates any provision of the federal privacy of healthcare records act,” said Dan Monnat, a legal expert…