The Kansas Supreme Court’s docket is full with nearly 20 cases to hear this week, including two originating in Lyon County.
On Tuesday, the state high court will hear the case of Kansas v. Samuel L. Harris. Six years ago, Harris was convicted of kidnapping, robbery, criminal restraint and criminal threat involving a woman. Harris, now 43, has raised a series of issues on appeal and continues the appellate process after the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the original convictions.
Harris has 11 different appellate issues before the Supreme Court, including but not limited to ineffective counsel, cumulative error denying a fair trial, errors with evidence admission, errors with the use of Harris’ criminal history and errors with jury instruction.
On Thursday, Kansas v. Christopher Mosby goes before the Supreme Court. Mosby was convicted in 2017 on counts of burglary of a dwelling and theft. Mosby, 34, initially won an appeal as the Kansas Court of Appeals said Mosby’s rights were violated when prosecutors added alleged items stolen but did not amend their complaint to reflect the changes. The Court of Appeals also said district court failed to properly assess Mosby’s wherewithal to pay attorney fees, so it reversed the theft conviction and changed the restitution order.
Mosby then said the Court of Appeals should have vacated all restitution orders. Besides that, Mosby says the Court of Appeals should not have denied a trial sequestration and there was at least one set of jury instructions given in error.
For more information about the current docket or past Supreme Court or Court of Appeals cases, go online to www.kscourts.org.
