The Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed a decision from the Kansas Court of Appeals on restitution matters after a Greenwood County chase led to a violent incident at the Lyon County Jail.
Nearly four years ago, Robert Robison III allegedly led a chase into Greenwood County, where he became unruly during his arrest. He was transferred to Lyon County, where he allegedly scratched two detention officers and bit a third. He was subsequently charged with two counts of battery against a law enforcement officer, but one count was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. He was then sentenced to 32 months in prison, 24 months of postrelease supervision and over $2,600 in restitution.
Robison challenged the restitution, arguing the order violated both the state and federal constitutions and that district court was wrong in saying the restitution should be paid to an insurance carrier. The Court of Appeals rejected those claims and the Supreme Court agreed, saying the restitution order did not violate Robison’s right to a jury under the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution and it does not violate Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights relating to trials by jury.
