A Kansas Court of Appeals panel has affirmed a conviction in a Lyon County case where an Emporia man allegedly tried to disarm an Emporia Police officer during a struggle.
Last year, a Lyon County jury convicted Travis Mayer of single counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and flee and elude following an incident just west of Emporia in September 2016. He received 56 months in prison as a result.
Mayer appealed, saying comments from the presiding judge pressured the jury to reach a verdict without asking additional questions and saying his sentencing hearing should have been delayed so his defense counsel could research whether his prior attorneys gave him adequate representation.
The Court of Appeals panel disagreed. It said the court statement meant there would be no transcripts provided, although jurors could ask for testimony readbacks if they so chose. The appellate court also said district court did not abuse its discretion on the sentencing hearing.
