Kansas Supreme Court hearing Wyandotte County cases today

The Kansas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear some high-profile Wyandotte County case appeals today in Topeka.

Charles Bowser was convicted of attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and criminal possession of a firearm. These were at the scene of more than one business.

One of the convictions involved shooting a sheriff’s deputy who was in a business at the time of the burglary.

In his appeal, Bowser is arguing the district court improperly participated in plea negotiations and imposing consecutive sentences after he rejected the plea offer the court urged him to accept; he also argues the state committed prosecutorial error in closing argument by arguing facts not in evidence; he argues the district court committed reversible error in answering questions from the jury; and he argues cumulative error denied him a fair trial.

Cecil Meggerson, who also was convicted in the case involving a sheriff’s deputy, also is appealing in a case scheduled to be heard today. Meggerson was convicted of attempted capital murder, three counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated battery, one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery andtwo counts of criminal possession of a firearm.

Meggerson’s issues on appeal are whether the convictions were supported by substantial competence evidence; whether the district court erred in admitting the contents of Meggerson’s cell phone; whether the district court erred in admitting the contents of Meggerson’s jail phone calls, whether the district court erred in admitting prior crimes evidence; whether the district court erred in admitting the timelines of the police officers; and whether there was cumulative error that denied Meggerson a fair trial.

Fog advisory this morning, slight chance of snow Tuesday

National Weather Service graphic
National Weather Service graphic

Dense freezing fog was in the forecast through 10 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The fog could produce slick spots on roads and sidewalks, the weather service said.

A slight chance of snow is possible on Tuesday through Wednesday, according to the weather service.

Less than an inch of snow is expected across much of the area on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Tuesday and Wednesday morning commutes could be affected, the weather service said. If untreated, roads could become slippery.

Today, there may be patchy dense fog before 10 a.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 37 with a north wind of 5 to 7 mph.

Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 28, according to the weather service, and a north northeast wind of 3 to 6 mph.

Tuesday, there is a 20 percent chance of snow after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 34 with a north northeast wind of 5 to 8 mph.

Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 25 with a calm wind.

Wednesday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 35 and a calm wind, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 25, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 39, the weather service said.

Thursday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 28, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 43, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 31, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 47, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 35, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 54, the weather service said.

UG committees to meet Monday

The Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, in the fifth floor conference room, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

On the agenda for the PWS meeting:

• A resolution to approve a purchase agreement with the Turner Recreation Commission for the UG’s sale of Riverview Ball Complex, 224 S. 74th St.;

• A resolution amending the benefit district policy;

• A presentation on Capital Maintenance Improvement Plan major capital evaluation criteria.

Also scheduled during the public access portion of the meeting is an appearance by Tscher Manck requesting community resource officers be used to provide a night hoop program.

When the PWS meeting is over, the Administration and Human Services Committee is scheduled to meet.

On the AHS agenda:

• Presentation and discussion on amendments to the UG code. These proposed amendments would be changing the beginning of the term of UG elected officials from the first Monday in January; changing the date of establishing the two-year commission schedule to coincide with a change in the beginning of the term; and changing the beginning of the term of commission appointments to boards and commissions;

• An update on technology projects intended to improve the customer experience for residents and businesses, including an upgrade to Accela, electronic plan review software, and parks and recreation software.

Also scheduled during the public access portion of the meeting is an appearance by Nicholas Novak regarding immigration.