Jury Convicts Lawrence Man of Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Other Charges

05/20/2011
Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces a jury convicted Lawrence resident Louis G. Galloway, Jr., 20, of Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Obstructing the Legal Process or Official Duty. On February 26, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Lawrence Police Officer Jonathan Evinger stopped a car in the 2100 block of W. 26th St. for displaying a switched license tag. The driver of the car was identified as the defendant. During the traffic stop, Mr. Galloway struck Officer Evinger in the left eye, knocking him unconscious. Mr. Galloway then struck Lawrence Police Officer Stephen Ramsdell, who was assisting Officer Evinger on the traffic stop. After a brief struggle Officer Ramsdell was able to place Mr. Galloway under arrest. Officer Evinger suffered a concussion and injury to his left eye which left him with significant vision loss. Much of Officer Evinger's eyesight has returned, but he still has not regained the peripheral vision in his left eye. "Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to ensure our safety. When someone is not only disrespectful to them, but goes so far as to injure them, I believe it demonstrates how truly dangerous that individual is to our entire community," stated Branson. Mr. Galloway faces 38-172 months for the most serious charge, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. The trial began Tuesday, closing arguments were delivered Thursday afternoon and the jury deliberated for about an hour before retiring for the day. The jury returned on Friday and deliberated for approximately three hours and returned its verdict shortly after noon. The Honorable Barbara Kay Huff presided over the case. The Lawrence Police Department investigated the case and Chief Assistant District Attorney David Melton prosecuted it. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation be completed and scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 27 at 4:00 p.m. -30- CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com

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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