LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dashcam video released Monday shows a Kansas police officer shooting and wounding a man in a case in which the rookie officer told investigators she mistakenly fired her firearm instead of her Taser.

The video provided in response to an open records request is from the patrol vehicle of an officer who pulled over 35-year-old Akira Lewis for a suspected seatbelt violation in May 2018 near downtown Lawrence.

Lewis is heard in the video telling the white officer that he was pulled over because he is black and insists on seeing a supervisor. When he refuses to provide identification and continues arguing, backup officer Brindley Blood, who also is white, was summoned.

She is seen shooting Lewis when he punches and tackles the officer who initiated the traffic stop. Blood, who resigned from the police force in January after being placed on paid leave, is charged with aggravated battery. Lewis was treated at a hospital and is charged with several misdemeanors, including battery against a law enforcement officer.

The affidavit in the case against Blood said she didn’t realize she had shot Lewis until she looked for the Taser wires to see if they had hit their mark and realized there weren’t any. She said during her interview with investigators, “I shot, shot him, I pulled my firearm instead of my Taser,” the affidavit said.

The city initially denied the Journal-World’s request for the video, saying at that time the materials were “part of an ongoing investigation” and “criminal investigation records.” The newspaper again requested the video last week, after it was played in Douglas County District Court during a hearing for Blood.

Judge Peggy Kittel is weighing whether to bind Blood over for trial. Her attorneys argue that while Blood made a mistake she was not reckless, as the charge alleges, and that the case against her should be dropped. Kittel is scheduled to announce her ruling later this week.

Lewis’ attorney, Shaye Downing, said in a statement Monday that during the officers’ attempt to arrest Lewis for a “seatbelt violation” the officers “initiated physical contact and escalated a situation that could have been easily de-escalated by any number of interventions.”

“After this incident, there are serious concerns about the training officers receive and ongoing certification required to ensure that if an officer is faced with a situation where force is used, that they use only that level of force reasonably necessary for the given circumstances,” Downing said.

She also said Lewis has not received any help from the city of Lawrence for medical expenses for injuries he suffered during the confrontation.

 

 

 

MARSTON, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man jailed in Texas is now charged with killing a woman at an Interstate 55 rest area in October.

27-year-old Eliot Bonner of St. Charles was charged Friday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. He does not yet have a listed attorney.

The body of 50-year-old Monica Keenlance of Morton, Illinois, was found Oct. 31 at a rest area along I-55 near Marston, Missouri.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2:30a.m. Monday in St. Clair County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Dodge Dakota driven by Brent G. Green, 51, Appleton City, was westbound on Highway 52 just east of Appleton City.

The pickup crossed the center line and struck a semi head-on.

Green was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Hill and Son Funeral Home. A private vehicle transported the semi driver Jackie N. Davis, 39, Appleton, to Elliot Memorial for treatment of minor injuries.

Davis was not wearing a seat belt. The MSHP did not have information on Green’s seat belt usage.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House gave first-round approval Monday to a bill that would require medical facilities and doctors to inform women that some medically induced abortions could be “reversed” if a doctor intervenes.

Opponents of the bill say the “reversal” method is scientifically unproven and disputed in medical circles, while supporters contend women should be made aware of the option.

The bill passed by a voice vote after more than two hours of debate. After a final vote Tuesday, it’s expected to head to the Senate, The Kansas City Star reported .

Medical abortions involve women taking Mifepristone, generally called RU-486, followed by a medication called Misoprostol. The bill approved Monday would require women be told that an abortion can be stopped after the first medicine is taken if a doctor administers a dose of progesterone.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, was skeptical about the bill.

“I’m not sure that’s based on science,” she said during a news conference Monday.

The bill claims “it may be possible to reverse its intended effect if the second pill or tablet has not been taken or administered. If you change your mind and wish to try to continue the pregnancy, you can get immediate help by accessing available resources.”

“I want you to understand clearly this is a pro-women’s health bill, said Rep. John Eplee, R-Atchison, a physician who introduced the measure in committee. “We’re not putting a gun to their head, we’re not forcing them to have this procedure. We’re giving them an option.”

However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2017 disputed the usefulness of the procedure.

“Claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards,” the group said. “Unfounded legislative mandates represent dangerous political interference and compromise patient care and safety.”

Democratic opponents of the bill repeatedly referred to the medical group’s statement and questioned whether the process detailed in the bill is safe.

“I think this really inserts politics into a private discussion between physician and patients and complicates that and interferes with that relationship,” said Rep. Eileen Horn, D-Lawrence.

If passed, any private office, surgical outpatient clinic, hospital or other facility that fails to post a sign about the reversal process could be fined up to $10,000. If a medical abortion is provided without the notification, the woman, the father of the unborn child, or the grandparent of a minor undergoing the abortion could sue for damages.

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A bicyclist who died after being hit by a vehicle last week was a 71-year-old Olathe man.

Police said Monday Karman Wells died hours after being hit on Friday in southern Overland Park. Police continue to investigate the crash.

The driver has not been cited. Police say there is no evidence the driver of the vehicle was impaired.