Topeka Resident Sentenced for Aggravated Battery on a Lawrence Police Officer and Other Charges

07/13/2009
PRESS RELEASE RELEASE DATE: 07/13/09 CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today Topeka resident Barbara Jo Schnegelsiepen, 28, was sentenced today by The Honorable Peggy C. Kittel in the 2008 case that involved two Lawrence Police Department (LPD) officers and a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) Officer. Schnegelsiepen was sentenced to 83 months in the first count of felony Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, 43 months in the second count of felony Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and 19 months in the felony Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer for a controlling sentence of 145 months or just over 12 years. Judge Kittel sentenced her to the aggravated sentences on all counts and ordered the sentences to run consecutive to each other. Her time will be served in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. LPD Officer Doug Payne, victim, and his wife Angela both movingly testified to the Court about the crime including the extent of his multiple injuries, the impact his injuries have had on his life, family, friends and career and the traumatic nightmares their two young children suffered post-accident. Branson stated, "I am very pleased that Ms. Schnegelsiepen will be serving over 10 years in prison for her crimes and relieved our victims were not forced to relive these painful and traumatic events during a trial." The case against Schnegelsiepen began on December 2 when she was caught by a Lawrence homeowner burglarizing a vehicle in an attached garage. She fled from the scene and the homeowner called LPD. At approximately Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive, LPD located her in a Jeep that had been stolen out of Shawnee County. She was able to elude the police and during this time she wrecked the Jeep and stole another vehicle. She was located in the second stolen vehicle and she hit a patrol car as she fled the area. LPD continued to pursue her into the County. On Highway 40 she drove directly at a KHP officer, forcing him off of the roadway. At approximately Highway 40 and East 200 Road a LPD officer attempted to deploy a spike strip. She drove around the spike strip, striking and injuring the officer. The pursuit came to an end approximately 1.5 miles later when another LPD Officer used his patrol car to strike and disable her vehicle. -30-

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