Kansas Judge Denies State Request in Abortion Lawsuit
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has denied a state request to rule that an anti-abortion law does not violate the equal protection clause or discriminate against women. The ruling is part of an ongoing lawsuit, in which the state faces a number of challenges to the 2011 law. The law places health and safety restrictions on abortion clinics and is under challenge by two doctors who provide abortions in Overland Park. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Judge Franklin Theis ruled yesterday (FRI) against the state, citing a lack of evidence presented so far. The state wanted the judge to rule that the law does not violate the equal protection clause or discriminate against women in order to take the equal protection challenge off the table as the lawsuit proceeds.
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Kansas Supreme Court Won't Remove Judge from Donor Case
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has denied a request to remove the judge from the case of a Topeka man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple. The state has been seeking to have William Marotta declared the father of the couple's child so he can be forced to pay child support. The state started pursuing the case in 2012 after the couple split up and one of the women applied for state health insurance for the child.Marotta claims he signed a contract waiving his parental responsibilities.The Topeka Capital-Journal reports court documents show the state Supreme Court has denied a request from Marotta's lawyer to remove Shawnee County District Judge Mary Mattivi from the case. A status hearing on the case is set for August 18th.
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Judge Rejects Argument in Jewish Site Shootings Case
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A judge has rejected a white supremacist's effort to argue in court that the killings of three people at two Jewish sites in Kansas were necessary. Johnson County Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan said at a hearing yesterday (FRI) that the "compelling necessity" defense could not be used in the guilt phase of Frazier Glenn Miller's capital murder case. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty in the case. Ryan didn't rule out the possibility of letting Miller use the defense if he's convicted of the killings and jurors have to decide if he will be sentenced to death.Ryan said there was no "legal" or "logical" connection between the argument Miller presented and the 2014 killings at two Jewish sites in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park. Miller is representing himself.
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Evel Knievel Museum to Open in Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka officials say a museum dedicated to daredevil Evel Knievel will open in Topeka. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Evel Knievel museum will be located at the Topeka Harley Davidson and will house the largest collection of Knievel's possessions. City officials said in an announcement yesterday (FRI) that the museum will include a dozen jackets, six bikes, a Mack truck and pinball machines. The Evel Knievel Museum at Historic Harley-Davidson is expected to open by next summer.Knievel is known for several stunts, including jumping the fountains at Caesar's Palace and the Snake River Canyon. Knievel died at age 69 in 2007 in Clearwater, Florida.
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CEO Leaving American Jazz Museum
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City has announced the departure of the museum's chief executive. The Star reports that Greg Carroll is out as head of the American Jazz Museum, which he's led since 2007. Museum board chairman Trey Runnion said in an announcement of Carroll's departure that the museum has grown under Carroll's leadership. There was no reason given for Carroll's departure. The jazz museum opened in 1997 as part of an effort to redevelop Kansas City's 18 and Vine Jazz District. The museum also operates the Blue Room jazz club and the Gem Theater. The board says it will hire a search firm to find Carroll's replacement.
