Lawrence Archives

Man Allegedly Fakes Medical Emergency to Break Out of Lawrence County Jail, Gets Quickly Caught by Enforcement Officer

Aurora, Missouri – An Aurora man found himself in hot water after being accused of assaulting a woman, leading to his arrest. James Matthew Ireland, 25, faces a slew of charges related to the alleged assault, including first degree rape, armed criminal action, and first degree sodomy. The incident unfolded when the victim reported to the Aurora-Marionville Police Department that Ireland had attacked her at his residence, prompting her to fear for her life. Ireland …

32-Year-Old Olathe Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Domestic Battery in Lawrence Strangling Case

LAWRENCE, Kansas – A jury in Douglas County, Kansas, has recently convicted 32-year-old Austin W. Kidder of aggravated domestic battery for strangling a Lawrence woman. The District Attorney of Douglas County, Suzanne Valdez, praised the survivor for coming forward and seeking justice. Valdez emphasized the importance of the community’s responsibility to ensure the safety of its members. The charges against Kidder stemmed from an incident that took place on or about August 16, 2022, during …

Johnson County Prosecutors File Charges Against 17-Year-Old in Shooting Death of Lawrence Teen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A 17-year-old has been charged in connection with the shooting death of a Lawrence teen, according to Johnson County prosecutors. The defendant, whose identity has not been released, has been charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm, among other charges. The shooting took place on Tuesday evening in Lawrence, Kansas. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire and found the victim, a 16-year-old, with a fatal gunshot wound. The …