Lawrence Resident Convicted of Aggravated Battery

12/02/2008
PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: 12/02/08 CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Lawrence Resident Convicted of Aggravated Battery Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Rodney O'Neal Farmer, 32, was convicted today of aggravated battery. The conviction followed a jury trial which began yesterday in the Division Five Courtroom. Closing arguments were made this morning and the case went to the jury around 10:40. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning its verdict. The case stemmed from a fight outside the Jet Lag Lounge on February 15. A Lawrence Police Officer called to the scene was approached by the victim, an employee of the establishment, who told the officer he had been stabbed in the abdomen near his waistline and had been cut in his left outer thigh. The victim was trying to stop the fight when the defendant, a friend of one of the men fighting, stabbed and cut him with a silver knife. Defense agreed the victim had been stabbed, but stated someone other than the defendant was responsible. Farmer will be sentenced on January 16 at 9:00 a.m. in Division Five. The Honorable Paula B. Martin presided over the case. It was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple. -30-

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Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com