LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A judge has rejected a motion to drop charges against a 21-year-old man accused in a triple homicide in Lawrence.

Douglas County District Court Judge Sally Pokorny on Friday ruled that Anthony Roberts Jr., of Topeka, had not provided evidence to justify his claim that he acted in self-defense during the shootings in October 2017.

Roberts’ trial is scheduled for June 10. He is charged with two counts of first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

The shootings in downtown Lawrence involved two groups of Topeka men who had earlier confrontations. They fired about 20 shots, killing three and injuring two others.

One co-defendant is scheduled for trial in April. A third pleaded no contest last week to misdemeanor battery and was released from jail.

COWLEY COUNTY — A man has died in an accident in Cowley County.

Just after 2p.m. Monday, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, along with Winfield EMS and Burden First Responders were dispatched to the 400 block of North Elm in Burden, Kansas for an unresponsive subject, according to Sheriff Dave Falletti.

Upon arrival, emergency officials found 26-year-old George Fletcher under a vehicle. It was determined that he had been working on a car and the car fell on him causing his death.

GEARY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 70.

Just before 5a.m. Sunday, deputies stopped a vehicle on Interstate 70 just west of the Milford Lake exit for a defective tag lamp, according to the Geary County Sheriff’s Department.

During the traffic stop, deputies arrested Morgan Macpherson, 20, New Port Richey, Florida, on suspicion of Defective Tag lamps, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp.

 

In addition, deputies arrested Cody Lambert, 22, Port Richey, Florida and Alyssa Drake, 20, Manhattan  on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp.

BUTLER COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Monday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Cessna L19 Bird dog airplane piloted by Victor Riffel, 65, Benton, was attempting to land at the Lloyd Stearman Airfield in in the14000 Block SW 30th Street in Benton.

There are two runways at the airport paved and unpaved. Upon landing on the unpaved runway, the pilot lost control of the aircraft and the plane veered off to the southwest striking an unoccupied residence.

A passenger Joseph R. Bertapelle, 35, Derby, was transported to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.  Riffel was not injured.

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BUTLER COUNTY— The Kansas Highway Patrol in investigating the crash of a small plane into a house in Butler County.

Just before 1:30p.m., the plane attempting to take off from Stearman Field in the14000 Block SW 30th Street in Benton and hit the house, according to KHP dispatch.

The pilot and passenger walked away with only minor injuries, according to the Associated Press.The KHP is expected to released additional details as they become available.

 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an early morning shooting that left a 25–year–old woman with non-life threatening injuries.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man died during a cycling race at Cheney Reservoir over the weekend.

William “Craig” Henwood, 48, Olathe was racing in the Rage Against the Chainring gravel bicycle race on Saturday, according to the Reno County sheriff’s department.

Henwood started to drift left in front of a pack of riders when his bike left the road. He tumbled over the front of the handlebars and hit his head, according to the Sheriff’s department.

CPR was performed and Henwood responded to it for a short time, but was eventually pronounced dead at the scene. He was taken to the Wichita Forensics Center for more tests. It is not known at this time whether Henwood had a medical condition at the time of the accident.

The Rage Against the Chainring is a popular event that is part of a race series put on by the Kansas Cycling Association.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated battery and have a suspect in custody.

Just before  11:30 p.m., Sunday, police  responded to a stabbing in the 3300 block of SE Girard in Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.

As officers arrived, they found 2 victims, one man and one woman who sustained non-life threatening injuries. The victims gave a description of their assailant and officers were able to locate the suspect approximately 10 minutes later in the 800 block of SE 33rd Street.

Police took 37-year old Randella Thompson into custody without incident. She, as well as several witnesses, were brought to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center to speak with detectives. Thompson was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on 2 counts of Aggravated Battery, according to Trimble.