All domestic battery cases in Topeka will once again be prosecuted. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor announced he’ll resume taking the cases, but he’ll have fewer staff and resources to handle them. The resolution is a relief to advocates for the victims of domestic violence. Kari (“carrie”) Ann Rinker is with the Kansas branch of the National Organization for Women.
But Rinker is disappointed the debate dragged on so long. The month-long stalemate between the city and county caused more than 20 people arrested for misdemeanor domestic abuse to be released without charges. The story grabbed national headlines, and Rinker hopes the resolution will, as well.
The city and the district attorney both had said they didn’t have the resources to prosecute the domestic battery cases. The Topeka City Council even repealed their domestic battery ordinance to force the district attorney to prosecute the crimes.