The Kansas Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling in a case of a former Emporia business owner who pleaded no contest to cocaine distribution earlier this decade.
Lance Harris, the one-time owner of the So Fresh So Clean dry cleaning store, was originally charged in March 2011 with 13 drug-related counts, including straight cocaine distribution and distribution within 1,000 feet of a school. He pleaded no contest to three counts and received consecutive sentences.
Harris successfully appealed, saying he should have had an evidence hearing on the plea agreement. After the agreement was affirmed and right before sentencing, Harris requested a motion to delay the hearing so he could research a downward departure or a plea withdrawal. The motion was denied.
The Court of Appeals panel sided with district court, saying there was no merit in Harris’ claims of ignoring testimony or evidence after the plea was reached.
