The man accused of attempted murder after a January incident in Emporia has a lengthy criminal history in several Kansas counties, including crimes of violence.
The sentencing history for Jonathan William Bafford, 45, dates back at least to April 1994, when Bafford was convicted in Reno County on a count of aggravated arson dating to a case in 1993. Bafford was also convicted in 1995 on an aggravated battery charge as part of a 1991 case.
Bafford was housed in Larned after those convictions, but in 1996 he allegedly escaped from custody and was convicted on that count later in the year in Pawnee County.
Bafford was also convicted in Seward County in 2006 for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal threat. In 2008, Bafford was convicted in Pawnee County of battery against a corrections officer.
Currently, Bafford is charged in Lyon County with attempted second-degree murder with an alternate count of aggravated battery, as well as aggravated kidnapping and possession of methamphetamine. Bond is at $100,000. A pretrial hearing is set for Dec. 12.
4:30 pm Wednesday: Emporia man bound over on attempted murder, other charges
An Emporia man was bound over on charges of attempted murder and other counts during a hearing Tuesday in Lyon County District Court.
Jonathan William Bafford, 45, is accused of beating a woman during an alleged domestic battery incident in January. Court documents provided to KVOE News say the incident came to light after the victim went to Newman Regional Health for treatment of a deep puncture wound in her back and several significant soft tissue bruises on her legs, face, arms, rear end and back. The woman said she and Bafford had a verbal argument that rapidly escalated to violence. The woman also said she was told she could not leave during the incident.
Bafford was found inside his residence at 526 South Congress after officers served a search warrant. Court documents say Bafford admitted hitting the woman but not to the extent that was alleged and he denied telling the woman she couldn’t leave.
Bafford is charged with attempted second-degree murder with an alternate count of aggravated battery, as well as aggravated kidnapping and possession of methamphetamine. Bond is at $100,000. A pretrial hearing is set for Dec. 12.
When court proceedings resume, Bafford will have new defense counsel. Bafford and prior defense attorney Paul Dean did not agree on trial strategy, so Bafford requested new counsel and Dean moved to withdraw. James Bordonaro is now representing Bafford.