58 paients dead and this doctor and his wife think they should go free. All he gave out was drugs. 5 minutes in and a new script written pay as you leave. Sound like proper medical help to any of you?
I have followed the story for a while. But felt keep it to crime and politicals. I think this fits under crime.. look at the defense reasoning.
One can use the Archives or the search to find the earlier stories on this issue.

Defense: Feds ‘commandeered’ medical board: CJOnline - Defense: Feds ‘commandeered’ medical board

The Associated Press
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. CDT
WICHITA — Prosecutors “commandeered” the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, improperly asserting federal authority over the regulation of medicine in their prosecution of a Kansas doctor charged with illegally prescribing narcotic painkillers, his defense attorneys said.

Court documents filed in the criminal case against Dr. Stephen Schneider and his wife, Linda, contend their prosecution is an abuse of the federal criminal process and an affront to the constitutional rights of the sick and those who attempt to care for them.

“When the federal government steps into the medical examination room and second-guesses a doctor’s judgment as to the type of treatment, I think we are opening a Pandora’s Box in this country we should not open, and we are asking the court to keep that box closed and apply proper standards to these prosecutions,” defense attorney Lawrence Williamson said. “If the lower court doesn’t do it, we believe the appellate court will — or maybe even the Supreme Court.”

A federal indictment links the Schneiders’ Haysville clinic to the accidental overdose deaths of 56 patients. The government charged the doctor and his wife with directly causing four deaths and contributing to the deaths of 11 other patients cited in the indictment.

The Schneiders face federal charges including conspiracy, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, health care fraud, illegal money transactions and money laundering. They have pleaded not guilty.

Williamson said that unlike other cases against doctors built on the testimony of undercover agents, in the Schneider case there are no allegations that he was providing narcotic medication to people who did not need it.

“In this case, everybody they name in the indictment had a true medical need or were long-term patients of Dr. Schneider or the clinic,” Williamson said.

Larry Buening, executive director of the state’s medical board, laughed when asked whether he felt the federal government had commandeered his board, as the defense contended. But he said it would not be appropriate for him to make any comments on a pending criminal matter.

Buening said the board is proceeding with its case. Schneider’s medical license was suspended after his indictment, and the board has set a Nov. 11 hearing date on the petition to revoke his license.

Federal prosecutors said Monday they are reviewing the defense motions and won’t make other comments until they file their responses in court.

In a massive court filing encompassing six motions and hundreds of pages in supporting documents, defense attorneys challenged the constitutionality of the Controlled Substances Act and asked for dismissal of charges. They also sought to suppress any evidence gathered in clinic raids, demanded a bill of particulars with details of the alleged illegal acts, and requested the federal prosecution abstain until the state board completed its process.

Attorneys contended in one court filing that prosecutors asked the state regulatory board to stay its proceedings out of fear it would clear the doctor of medical impropriety before the U.S. attorney’s office could get an indictment.

A month after the Schneiders were arrested, the state board sent two letters to the doctor informing him that the treatment provided in those unrelated cases adhered to applicable standard of care, according to letters obtained by The Associated Press.

U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren has denied in the past that federal prosecutors asked the state to hold off on its proceedings. But board officials have just as adamantly stood by their testimony that they delayed their process at the request of Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Treadway.

Melgren declined to comment on the latest filing. But when AP first documented that contentious relationship between the agencies in February, Melgren said that his office has always tried to work cooperatively with the state board.

“We have different responsibilities and different tools for the job, but we share the goal of protecting the public,” he said.

Some reader comments included.

No plans yet on trying veto override: CJOnline - No plans yet on trying veto override

The Associated Press
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. CDT
Speaker Melvin Neufeld says House leaders will decide Wednesday whether to attempt to override the latest veto of an energy bill.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a measure last week to allow two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas. It was the third time she has rejected such legislation.

Legislators are out of session, having finished almost all of their business for the year.

But they have a brief adjournment ceremony scheduled for May 29. They could take up work that day.

Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican, is a strong supporter of the two plants. Sunflower Electric Power Corp. wants to build them in Finney County.

But Sebelius’ administration has blocked the plants over their potential carbon dioxide emissions.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
+ 2 Rating Posted by: TopekaIsBoring at May 20, 2008 at 03:02:11 PM
How much more time is the Legislature gonna waste on this unwanted and unneeded expansion in Holcomb?

-2 Rating Posted by: kansasman101 at May 20, 2008 at 03:25:13 PM
This expansion is both wanted and needed. Both political parties support it overwhelmingly and it is vital to the energy needs of this state and also provides huge demand for those outside of the state willing to pay the price.

The governor is playing obstructionist politics. Barring a miracle the governor will have succeeded in caving in to the false premise the Holcolmb expansin is a "bad" thing.
Her only concern is to drive business away from Kansas (i.e. new oil production plant wanting to locate in Kansas to the tune of TEN BILLION DOLLARS) so she can get out of Kansas to further her political "savvy" elsewhere.

Posted by: kdj699 at May 20, 2008 at 03:41:23 PM
I keep hearing about this oil refinery. Does anyone have any links to an article about this on the web so I can read about it?

-2 Rating Posted by: jhoracek at May 20, 2008 at 03:55:11 PM

She is acting against the economic well being of the state for her own personal political gain. This action is beneath contempt. There is no evidence that CO2 is causing global warming, thus there was no need to veto this plant. The earth's temerature has not risen for 10 years now, and scientits are predicting the earth will cool for, at least, the next 10 years, even though CO2 emissions continue apace, why? According to 3000 submergible intruments in place since 2003 there has been no increase in the oceans' temperature and the oceans may have actually cooled. Why? Last winter the artic ice cover reached an unprecedented maximum since satellite's first started measuring it in 1979. I say, once again, there is virtually no empirical evidence that CO2 generated by mankind is causing global warming. CO2 generated by mankind's activities represent less than 0.37% of greenhouse gases. Water vapor, mostly clouds, represent about 95%. Do you really believe that 0.37% generated by mankind outweighs the effects of 99.67% of the greenhouse gases that occur naturally? Why would anyone think the generation of CO2 would be hazardous? In a news release Monday, a petition signed by 31,000 scientists, 9,500 of whom are PHDs, said they do not believe that mankind is the cause of global warming. The IPCC only had 2,400 and some of them have since changed their minds, or distanced themselves from the IPCC summary statement. Seems like mankind causes for Global Warming is far from a consensus position and that the debate is far from over doesn't it?

Posted by: TopekaIsBoring at May 20, 2008 at 04:40:21 PM
kdj699 said...
"I keep hearing about this oil refinery. Does anyone have any links to an article about this on the web so I can read about it?"

They're not coming to Kansas and never had any legitimate plans to do so. They're just using us as a bargaining chip against South Dakota (or whichever Dakota) so that they can get whatever they want.

+ 1 Rating Posted by: kdj699 at May 20, 2008 at 04:57:57 PM
Who cares about the CO2? What about the other harmful pollutants that the neighbors to this plant have to breathe in and the other crap going up in the air that will further taint our beautiful Kansas skies?

Posted by: picke810 at May 20, 2008 at 05:44:41 PM
Have you noticed the skies lately? 2 days of sun, and 5 days of clouds. These past few days have been the exception for some time.

Posted by: jhoracek at May 20, 2008 at 07:56:27 PM

Kdj699,

CO2 was the reason cited by Sebelius for denying the coal plants. The plant met all existing regulatory requirements. Ergo any emissions given off by the plants would be acceptable under the law. In fact, they would be cleaner than existing Kansas coal fired power plants. But then again I guess you don't have to follow the law if you are governor. At least in Kansas. What arrogance she has to take actions that are constitutionally delegated to the legislature. She is trying to change regulations without a single vote being cast by any legislator or any Kansas citizen.


Posted by: mlurp at May 20, 2008 at 08:02:55 PM
I quote kansanman101, "This expansion is both wanted and needed. Both political parties support it overwhelmingly and it is vital to the energy needs of this state and also provides huge demand for those outside of the state willing to pay the price"End quote. Both parties. So the Gov., is doing this on her own? Overwelming need to our state which gets how much and where will it be used? And the out of state users will pay in their states not a nickle will be spent for the cost to them here. This is another big business deal for profit nothing more or less.
And I saw the Obama short list for VP, gee the Gov., name wasn't on it at all. Have you read any posts below yours?
Sure som ethink CO 2 is ok and has no harm. But these (maybe) are the ones watching Lil Bush while the History, National Geo and Discovery channels are proving them wrong!

I'm sure some of the readers have seen this before..

Guard unit returns to Topeka on Friday: CJOnline - Guard unit returns to Topeka on Friday

The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. CDT
Approximately 160 soldiers of the 35th Military Police Company of the Kansas National Guard will be welcomed home on Friday.

The Guardsmen, who deployed to Iraq in June 2007 to conduct military police operations, will arrive at approximately noon at Lee Arena in Petro Allied Health Center on the Washburn University campus, 1700 S.W. College Ave.

The unit is headquartered in Topeka and is commanded by Maj. Robert Stinson. Approximately 85 soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor, headquartered in Manhattan, along with soldiers from other Kansas units, were transferred to the 35th Military Police Company to augment the unit for this mission.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
+ 2 Rating Posted by: seriously08 at May 21, 2008 at 03:15:03 PM
Welcome home! Thank you.

Posted by: spiritwind at May 21, 2008 at 05:09:01 PM
I am so glad when each unit comes home. I so wish I could get around and great and thank every one of them. I do not agree with what were are doing over there, in all things, but I am so proud of the men who fight.

Posted by: treedoc at May 21, 2008 at 06:48:27 PM
My dear friend's husband is with this unit and it is with open arms that we welcome he an his soldiers home! He has a new baby whom he has never met waiting to see him. Welcome home!!

Posted by: mlurp at May 21, 2008 at 06:57:02 PM
My thanks to each. God Bless and keep them and the men/women still in the thick of things safe.

Reader comments included. Why I am not sure!

$5,000 reward offered in vandalism: CJOnline - $5,000 reward offered in vandalism

Signs, roads and private property targeted with
By Phil Anderson
The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. CDT
Coinciding with the end of the school year again this May, graffiti is popping up in an area served by Washburn Rural High School in southwest Shawnee County, authorities said Wednesday.

Damage is resulting from people “tagging” road signs, markers, private property and streets with “‘09” in spray paint in the area, said Sgt. Danny Lotridge, of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

Last year, Mission Township spent about $20,000 repairing similar damage, he said.

This year, a $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved in the vandalism. The person offering the reward wishes to remain anonymous, Lotridge said.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 to identify people responsible for the vandalism.

The vandals are believed to be students at Washburn Rural High School, Lotridge said.

Washburn Rural High School principal Ed Raines is seeking groups of students and teachers to volunteer to help clean up the graffiti, which started appearing the last few weeks of school.

Already, more than 15 groups representing hundreds of students and teachers have stepped up to help on two planned work days, said Martin Weishaar, communications coordinator for USD 437.

Raines issued the request to students because he doesn’t want the actions of a few to define Washburn Rural High School, regardless of whether the people responsible for the vandalism are associated with the school, Weishaar said.

At 8:30 a.m. on the next two Saturdays, students will gather at the school’s parking lot, 5900 S.W. 61st, then go into the community to work.

Residents are encouraged to call the school at (785) 339-4100 with information on areas where clean-up is needed.

Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call sheriff’s Det. Jim Mummey at (785) 368-2212.

Phil Anderson can be reached

at (785) 295-1195

or phil.anderson@cjonline.com.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
-1 Rating Posted by: NM2Be at May 21, 2008 at 03:25:57 PM
what a joke. of course it's wr students, the tagging is centered all around the school and neighborhoods by the school and many signs say wr sr women/men 09. there are still tags on signs and roads from 06 that have yet to be cleaned up. i think the whole wr high school should have to have toothbruses and soap out and scrub it all down. maybe if they're all punished the tagging will stop or the tagger will fess up. how juvenile.

Posted by: NM2Be at May 21, 2008 at 03:26:28 PM
toothbrushes*

-2 Rating Posted by: butthead at May 21, 2008 at 03:31:09 PM
If it was spelled wrong, look no further than WR.

Posted by: KLorenz at May 21, 2008 at 04:01:31 PM
Heh..for $5K I would think parents would be clamoring to turn their own kids in.

Posted by: pitafersure at May 21, 2008 at 04:19:13 PM
WR Senior class... I accept cash.

-2 Rating Posted by: bluesguy at May 21, 2008 at 04:42:53 PM
How about Washburn Rural school district institutes a policy where WRHS seniors can not graduate until that have done 20 hours of community service per year. Their community service would be cleaning last year's graffiti.

I would think that once you have to spend 20 hours cleaning up after someone else's tagging that you might be a bit discouraged from doing it yourself. I also think offering a high $ reward is a great idea. Maybe some of the kids will turn each other in.

Finally if the city wants to get serious about tagging then we need to institute some tough requirements about the sale of spray paint & magic markers. Maricopa County, which has Phoenix in it, enacted tough laws to make it very hard for anyone under 18 yrs old to get a hold of spray paint or broad tipped markers. Check out http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/archive/...e/nl-sp-98.pdf


-1 Rating Posted by: djritmo at May 21, 2008 at 04:45:09 PM
They are approaching the reward all wrong. How about free gas for a year?!

This type of tagging has been going on for decades and not only in the WR district but in the other rural districts as well. So why all of a sudden is this an issue now? I guess better late than never. It's probably becuase budgets are getting tighter.

Good idea to have the WR kids get out there with toothbrushes and soap. But I am sure somebody will get their attorney on it and block that kind of idea.



+ 1 Rating Posted by: djritmo at May 21, 2008 at 04:46:47 PM
Also, I suppose the gang tagging on the east side is not as much a serious issue as senior class tagging on the west side. I don't see anyone offering any rewards to go after the punks that spray paint the east side.

+ 1 Rating Posted by: pitafersure at May 21, 2008 at 04:47:11 PM
Not that we have gangs in topeka, but what about the tagging in other parts of the community. Thoughts on offering a reward for that?

-1 Rating Posted by: NM2Be at May 21, 2008 at 04:52:21 PM
i'm just glad wr is almost out for the school year. anyoned tried to get down s. wanamaker or 61st street when the school year is in session? what a freakin' mess.

Posted by: spiritwind at May 21, 2008 at 05:11:59 PM
Tagging is just another way kids begin to show their lack of respect for property and other people. And in this town they still haven't learned respect at 40 just as the ***** that lives next door to me.

Posted by: mlurp at May 21, 2008 at 07:08:53 PM
It also shows that many are doing community service type work to help clean it all up. My thanks to all involved.
Nice to know they believe in the community.

Another Fire Department near shut down. Our city council needs to budget properly. Some reader comments included.

TFD’s engine company No. 3 unstaffed today: CJOnline - TFD’s engine company No. 3 unstaffed today

The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. CDT
The Topeka Fire Department’s engine company No. 3, which serves downtown and East Topeka out of the station at 318 S.E. Jefferson, was shut down today after firefighters had to be pulled from Engine 3 to fill manpower shortages at other Topeka fire stations.

The engine company operates on a day-to-day basis. A truck company still runs out of the S.E. Jefferson station.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
+ 1 Rating Posted by: Macguyver at May 21, 2008 at 09:05:02 AM
Guess this is news again today.

Posted by: TBuckl9501 at May 21, 2008 at 09:06:48 AM
Great news, it good to see the City Fire Chief making sure his money goes far and his crews a safe. Your doing the right thing Chief, keep up the good work sir.

Posted by: TBuckl9501 at May 21, 2008 at 09:07:34 AM
Great news, it good to see the City Fire Chief making sure his money goes far and his crews are safe. Your doing the right thing Chief, keep up the good work sir.

Posted by: ttownhustler at May 21, 2008 at 09:13:14 AM
Bring it on big bobby. Stop holding out. Get your self out of bed, stretch the fingers and get after it. I am sure you haven't worn out all of your TFD insight already.

+ 1 Rating Posted by: wakarusan at May 21, 2008 at 09:34:46 AM
Big News!!! What is the CJ's reason for writing this crap every other day?

+ 1 Rating Posted by: oldcop at May 21, 2008 at 10:27:18 AM
The Phelps Klan lost two court cases this week. Nothing can upset me now. I'm taking the rest of the week off, editorially speaking. (Not really, but I feel pretty good right now).

Posted by: bob421 at May 21, 2008 at 11:13:25 AM
Isn't that great, Oldcop. I feel good too. Ttown, I'm still here, it's just this has been printed so much that there is really nothing else to say. The Chief is doing what he has to do, because of the Fab Five and their stupid spending..........

Posted by: martyoz at May 21, 2008 at 12:13:00 PM
I'm not sure why this continues to be newsworthy. I guess the anti-chief group might get some mileage out of it? Who knows.

Posted by: husky1 at May 21, 2008 at 02:02:31 PM
I bet it wont be staffed over memorial day weekend

+ 1 Rating Posted by: T-TownTracker at May 21, 2008 at 02:39:23 PM
martyoz-
It's probably the chief that's calling the paper.

Why don't they just staff it on odd number days, then everyone will know when not to have a fire in the area.

Posted by: rguest1 at May 21, 2008 at 02:46:41 PM
Who really gives a darn?

+ 1 Rating Posted by: angierose1977 at May 21, 2008 at 03:14:17 PM
Am I the only one who finds it disturbing that we have unmanned fire stations? Every one of you would consider it newsworthy if it was your house on fire, or you had a medical emergency and your local fire station was unmanned that particular day! The city council is putting peoples property, and worse their lives, at risk all the while spending money to bring in outside firms to give them ideas on how to improve our river front area!? Why not spend that money on our safety?!

The reader comments say much about this and other actions of the city council.

Council negates copter deal: CJOnline / The Topeka Capital-Journal - Council negates copter deal

By Tim Hrenchir
The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Eleven months after first approving the lease-purchase of a police helicopter, the Topeka City Council took final action Tuesday evening to shoot down the transaction.

Council members voted 7-0-2 to approve a resolution terminating the city's agreement to buy a Robinson R44 helicopter from Littleton, Colo.-based Municipal Services Group Inc.

Tuesday's vote came after the council on May 6 initially took up a proposal to kill the lease-purchase that drew opposition from Councilman Bill Haynes, who said the measure's wording gave the appearance the council struck down the deal when in fact it was state law that did it. Councilmen Haynes and Richard Harmon, who are lawyers, subsequently worked with interim city attorney Braxton Copley to amend the wording in a manner that was satisfactory to all three.

Council members Tuesday evening voted 7-1-1, with Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz dissenting and Councilman John Alcala abstaining, to amend the resolution to include the new wording.

Then they voted 7-0-2 to pass it, with Alcala and Ortiz abstaining. Alcala told the council he abstained because he still contends the city lacked the authority to approve the lease-purchase agreement.

The council initially approved the helicopter purchase in June, but Mayor Bill Bunten vetoed it and the council failed to override.

The council then voted 5-3 on Dec. 4 to approve a veto-proof "communication" authorizing a lease-purchase of the helicopter for about $820,000. Police Chief Ron Miller told council members the R44 would be used in concert with a Robinson R44 the police department acquired in January 2007, while the city planned to sell a 15-year-old Schweizer helicopter police used as a backup.

Earlier this year, Copley suggested the council reauthorize its purchases of the helicopter and an enterprise resource planning software system because the documents involved failed to meet requirements of state law. The council voted April 1 to reauthorize both purchases, but Bunten vetoed the moves three days later.

On April 15, the council overrode Bunten's veto of the purchase of the ERP system but sustained his veto of the helicopter purchase. At that time, Copley suggested the council consider approving a resolution that would effectively void that helicopter purchase, as it did Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Robinson R44 the city acquired in January 2007 crashed last month on the Washburn University campus, with Miller saying it appeared to be a total loss. Miller subsequently grounded the police helicopter unit until the city carries out a complete evaluation of its helicopter program, which is under way.

The council Tuesday also:

• Voted 9-0 to establish a redevelopment project plan for the Eastgate Redevelopment District at the northeast and southeast corners of S.E. 15th and Adams.

• Voted 6-2-1, with Deborah Swank and Jeff Preisner dissenting and Brett Blackburn abstaining, to defer action for one week on a proposal to amend the city's contract regarding College Hill redevelopment. The measure would change the development schedule and arranged for developers to reimburse the city $100,000 to help make up for less-than-anticipated tax revenues the city received after the project failed to finish on schedule.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at (785) 295-1184 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
+ 2 Rating Posted by: phanophish at May 21, 2008 at 07:36:19 AM
So where the heck does that leave the city? Do we get any monies paid returned? Or did the city council's ignorance and hubris cause us to loose the deposit? A bit more info would be nice here CJ.

+ 1 Rating Posted by: bobgick at May 21, 2008 at 08:03:52 AM
So, how much was the deposit??

Posted by: emayormy at May 21, 2008 at 09:44:31 AM
I woulbe interested in hearing from some of our city leaders replying to these articles...

Myron www.myownfath2.com

Posted by: Hot_Toe_Picker at May 21, 2008 at 10:26:45 AM
So is the helicopter deal finally dead? It sounds like it is, but who knows with our backroom-dealing City Council.

Posted by: frederick at May 21, 2008 at 03:14:45 PM
I was hopeful and satisfied that we had finally elected a good slate of new city councilmen during the last election. They all seemed to be qualified, competent and well intentioned. So why are they not getting anything done? and how many more legal entanglements are they going to produce?
I feel sorry for the poor attorney that has to baby sit every action taken by this council to monitor its legality.

Reader comments say a lot on this issue. To me we have many more people who could use the space and time. But th elaw is the law. I only hope he gets what some real baddies get home detention.

Guilty plea given in pot case: CJOnline / The Topeka Capital-Journal - Guilty plea given in pot case

The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A 50-year-old Valley Falls man caught with 20 pounds of marijuana and dozens of live plants in 2007 faces up to five years in federal prison when sentenced in August.

Michael J. Leslie pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday to two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Leslie admitted investigators found 37 live plants, as well as processed marijuana, during a search in November 2007, a U.S. attorney's office news release stated. The search warrant also resulted in the seizure of 20 grow lights, 30 bags of Miracle Grow, a carbon dioxide generator, dehumidifiers, 39 pairs of scissors, and other tools for growing and processing marijuana.

According to Leslie's plea, detectives learned of drug-trafficking activities during spring 2007, a U.S. attorney spokesman said. That investigation resulted in drug-trafficking charges against at least two Topeka men.

Leslie faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. Sentencing is set for Aug. 26.

Reader comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Click here for our full user agreement.

You can rate each comment by clicking the or buttons.
To report an inappropriate comment, click the .

Please note that comment post times are in Eastern time.

Reader Comments
+ 3 Rating Posted by: sz34b at May 21, 2008 at 09:29:09 AM
Rediculous! Legalize already!!

Posted by: robinhood at May 21, 2008 at 11:53:17 AM
He'll be having the stems and seeds blues for awhile.

+ 3 Rating Posted by: TopekaIsBoring at May 21, 2008 at 03:04:12 PM
Why waste tax money and prison space on a man who wasn't hurting anybody else? If Kansas would legalize marijuana they would be able to tax what Mr. Leslie was growing and selling.

Posted by: OtherSignGuy at May 21, 2008 at 04:55:18 PM
Stems and Seeds Blues? How does that go? was'nt that a Bo Diddly hit in the 50's?

-1 Rating Posted by: spiritwind at May 21, 2008 at 06:50:44 PM
It does not matter if we want it legalized. It is against the law. In a civilized world, do you get to choose what laws you want to keep. If you are going to break the law, you will get caught, and you will go to prison. How many young underage kids got a hold of pot. How many kids parent bought pot instead of food, clothing and decent shelter. How many kids sat in shitty diapers cause the parents are too stoned to take care of their kids. And if your going to tell me you can be just as good as a parent stoned as sober, then you just prove my point. We can barely control kids getting cigarettes and booze, do you think we can do better with pot. And look it up, read what pot does to your body, your brain, your hormones. I just can not wrap my head around the desire for some to get hi. What is wrong with your brain, oh yeah too much pot.

Posted by: Hot_Toe_Picker at May 21, 2008 at 07:12:54 PM
Pot isn't anywhere near as bad as you think that it is, spirtwind. You could substitute heroin or alcohol into what you said and you'd be correct, but you're way off base on the subject of marijuana. The vast majority of pot smokers are responsible people who go to work every day and do everything else right, but they happen to enjoy a substance that happens to be illegal to a ridiculous degree. Anyone who is honest about the subject of marijuana will tell you that it's not very harmful to use. It's true that inhaling ANY kind of smoke isn't good for you, but you don't need much pot smoke to get high. The only damaging side-effects of smoking pot are the legal consequences if you get arrested with it.

There is a lot of other good news in Topeka, if one wants to use the CJ on line in my siggy. or the site in the report then select home.
But we do have some very stupid crimals...

Three arrested after man attacked in his home: CJOnline - Three arrested after man attacked in his home

By Barbara Hollingsworth
The Capital-Journal
Published Friday, May 23, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. CDT
A man was attacked at his residence in the 900 block of S.W. Polk Wednesday night by people who then stole from him.

The man was at his residence at about 8 p.m. when people he knew beat him, held him against his will and took things from him, said Topeka police Maj. John Sidwell. The man, who had injuries not considered life-threatening, was transported by ambulance to Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center.

The man’s property was later recovered, and three Topeka men were taken to Shawnee County Jail on Thursday morning in connection with the case: Andrew Lee Conklin III, 20; Alexander Joseph-Sean Heidenreich, 27; and Ethen Joseph Thornton, 18. They were booked into jail in connection with aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, aggravated burglary, theft and aggravated battery. Jail records indicate that Heidenreich also lives in the 900 block of S.W. Polk.