Lawrence Woman Sentenced in Rape Case

09/28/2010
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Lawrence resident Dawn C. Lyles, 28, was sentenced Friday in the Division One Courtroom of the Honorable Robert W. Fairchild to 165 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for her August 16 plea of no contest to the charge of Rape. While Jessica's Law applied to the case, which provides for a sentence of 25 years to life, Ms. Lyles' attorney argued for a durational departure in the case. The reasons cited were Ms. Lyles' lack of prior criminal record, trauma/abuse she endured as a child, her cooperation with police and the disproportionate sentence to other serious crimes such as homicide. The Judge found these reasons to be substantial and compelling and granted the departure. Detectives with the Lawrence Police Department began investigation into the case on April 13, 2009 when they were contacted by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services regarding the abuse of a child. The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan. -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