A bench trial in a child misconduct appeal was set to begin Wednesday. It now won’t take place until next month.
Joe Louis Stewart was tentatively set for his bench trial to begin this week 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. He has been appealing since 2018, but appeals to the Kansas Court of Appeals and Kansas Supreme Court have been unsuccessful to date.
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.
