A bench trial is ahead for an appeal of a child sex misconduct conviction in Lyon County.
Joe Louis Stewart is tentatively set for his bench trial to begin Wednesday before Judge Lee Fowler. Stewart was convicted of indecent liberties against a child in 2016 and was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison with no chance of parole.
Stewart has been appealing since 2018, alleging ineffective legal counsel, improper jury instructions and prosecutorial misconduct.
A prior appeal through the Kansas Court of Appeals and a requested petition review by the Kansas Supreme Court have both been denied.
Bench trials are moving forward through Lyon County District Court at this time. Because of the current surge in COVID-19 cases, jury trials are on hold until at least Valentine’s Day.
