Trial appears to be the next step — and soon — in the case of an Emporia man accused of child rape in Sedgwick County.
John Robert Burton had filed a pro se motion — meaning in his own behalf — for a new defense attorney, citing his current attorney Jama Mitchell’s upcoming retirement, no communication and othe reasons for the motion. During a hearing Wednesday, Judge Jeff Goering found “no justifiable dissatisfaction with counsel” and dismissed the motion.
Burton was charged in June 2023. He faces single counts of rape and aggravated indecent liberties involving a child under the age of 14. Trial in Wichita is set to begin Monday.
