Comments on: Stafford, Kansas Cyclist Killed http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/ The web's premier site for bicycling in the state of Kansas. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:58:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jayhawks22 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/#comment-57169 jayhawks22 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:06:47 +0000 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/?p=3235#comment-57169 The trial that was set for November 29th based on the 1st continuance was continued again 1 week before the trial. Continuance was granted based on the mental & physical stress that would be created for the accused by going through the trial. Any accused that has struck & killed a person & then left the scene should be feeling both mental & physical stress as their trial approaches! It is a shame that the system does not take into account the affect that this is surely having on the victim's family. Over 2 years after the crime Mr. Curtis's attorney is suddenly working with a local non mental health expert to review the mental competency of Mr. Curtis. Hopefully the state/county will require a certified mental health professional to make the determination. The trial that was set for November 29th based on the 1st continuance was continued again 1 week before the trial. Continuance was granted based on the mental & physical stress that would be created for the accused by going through the trial. Any accused that has struck & killed a person & then left the scene should be feeling both mental & physical stress as their trial approaches! It is a shame that the system does not take into account the affect that this is surely having on the victim’s family. Over 2 years after the crime Mr. Curtis’s attorney is suddenly working with a local non mental health expert to review the mental competency of Mr. Curtis. Hopefully the state/county will require a certified mental health professional to make the determination.

]]> By: jayhawks22 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/#comment-23032 jayhawks22 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:53:58 +0000 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/?p=3235#comment-23032 The trial for Mr. Curtis that was originally scheduled for August 3rd was granted a continuance based on the request by Mr. Curtis's defense attorney. The trial date will now most likely be in late '11 or early '12. The trial for Mr. Curtis that was originally scheduled for August 3rd was granted a continuance based on the request by Mr. Curtis’s defense attorney. The trial date will now most likely be in late ’11 or early ’12.

]]> By: jayhawks22 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/#comment-286 jayhawks22 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:51:11 +0000 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/?p=3235#comment-286 Mr. Curtis was finally charged the last week of September '10 almost 11 months after Mr. Searle's death. He was only charged with leaving the scene of a fatality. Mr. Searle was riding completely within the bounds of the Kansas motor vehicle laws, and Mr. Curtis was found and has admitted to being 100% at fault. As unbelievable as it seems if Mr. Curtis had not left the scene it appears that he would not have been charged at all. The preliminary hearing date has yet to be set. Evidence that has been gathered through witness interviews and depositions is pointing towards the Curtis familyand Mr. Curtis knowing that Mr. Curtis had a severe eyesight issue several months prior to Mr. Searle being killed but unfortunately Mr. Curtis continued to drive. Mr. Curtis was finally charged the last week of September ’10 almost 11 months after Mr. Searle’s death. He was only charged with leaving the scene of a fatality. Mr. Searle was riding completely within the bounds of the Kansas motor vehicle laws, and Mr. Curtis was found and has admitted to being 100% at fault. As unbelievable as it seems if Mr. Curtis had not left the scene it appears that he would not have been charged at all. The preliminary hearing date has yet to be set. Evidence that has been gathered through witness interviews and depositions is pointing towards the Curtis familyand Mr. Curtis knowing that Mr. Curtis had a severe eyesight issue several months prior to Mr. Searle being killed but unfortunately Mr. Curtis continued to drive.

]]> By: jayhawks22 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/#comment-285 jayhawks22 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:13:42 +0000 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/?p=3235#comment-285 Charges have not yet been filed as there was a long delay waiting for drug results for Mr. Curtis due to a backlog @ the KBI lab. These results are now in & charges should be made in the near future. Charges have not yet been filed as there was a long delay waiting for drug results for Mr. Curtis due to a backlog @ the KBI lab. These results are now in & charges should be made in the near future.

]]> By: Seamus http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/2009/12/stafford-kansas-cyclist-killed/#comment-284 Seamus Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:37:40 +0000 http://www.kansascyclist.com/news/?p=3235#comment-284 Interesting that the newspaper felt compelled to report whether the motorist sustained any injuries and also provided a damage assessment for the SUV. At least they have their priorities in order. Does anyone know whether the motorist has been charged yet? He fled the scene after all. This shouldn't merely be a slap on the wrist. These complete lapses on the part of the DAs suggest that it's open season on cyclists in Kansas: "Run 'em over and flee the scene, you won't be charged. After all, accidents happen!" Interesting that the newspaper felt compelled to report whether the motorist sustained any injuries and also provided a damage assessment for the SUV. At least they have their priorities in order.

Does anyone know whether the motorist has been charged yet? He fled the scene after all. This shouldn’t merely be a slap on the wrist. These complete lapses on the part of the DAs suggest that it’s open season on cyclists in Kansas: “Run ‘em over and flee the scene, you won’t be charged. After all, accidents happen!”

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