Suspect in Shooting of Washburn Players Gets New Attorney
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man charged in the shooting death of a former Washburn University football player and the wounding of current New York Giants cornerback Corey Ballentine has a new attorney. The Capital-Journal reports that KiAnn Caprice was appointed this week to defend 18-year-old Francisco Mendez, who faces 12 charges after the April 28 shooting that killed Dwane Simmons. The appointment came after Mendez's previous attorney withdrew from the case. Last month, Mendez pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, four counts of attempted murder and seven other counts. Simmons, Ballentine and three other Washburn players were shot at as they celebrated after Ballentine was drafted by the Giants earlier in the day.
Investigators have said at least three guns were used in the shooting.
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KC Man Sentenced in 2017 Fatal Car Shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 21-year-old Kansas City man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2017 fatal shooting of a woman stopped at a traffic signal. The Kansas City Star reports that Anton Hunter received the sentence Friday after pleading guilty in August to second-degree murder and weapons counts in the April 30th, 2017, shooting of 18-year-old Isabell Addison. Prosecutors say Addison was driving a car and stopped at a red light when a passenger in a black car next to hers began shooting at Addison's car. Police say the driver of the black car told investigators that she was Hunter's girlfriend and didn't know why he shot at the car next to hers. She said that shortly before the shooting, she and Hunter had an argument over french fries.
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Two Woman, Infant Killed in Douglas County Crash
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol says two women and a baby have been killed in a crash just south of Lawrence in northeastern Kansas. Troopers say the crash happened just before 6 p.m. Friday on U.S. 59 when a southbound car when out of control, crossed the median into northbound lanes and was broadsided by another car. Investigators say the driver of the southbound car, 20-year-old Tiffany Cox of Ottawa, and two passengers, 19-year-old Kiffany Mietchen and 8-month-old Azreal Ubelaker, both of Baldwin City, were killed in the crash. All three died at the scene. Officials say a 62-year-old Topeka man driving the car that hit Cox's car was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The patrol is investigating what caused Cox to lose control of her car.
