6
University Daily Kansan / Monday, February 10, 1992
Morris found guilty Friday of August bludgeoning death
By Michelle Betts Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Kenneth L. Morris' confession to Lawrence police was the key piece of testimony in his murder trial, said Douglas County District Attorney Jerry Wells.
After three days of testimony, Morris was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder and aggravated burglary in the August bludgeoning of Lawrence resident Danny Davis, 40.
A jury of four men and eight women reached the decision after four and a half hours of deliberation. Morris, 29, one-faced as the decision was read.
"What it came down to was, were they (the jury) going to believe the police officers' or the defendant's stories," Wells said.
During an interview in Phoenix with
lawrence police officials, Morris said he had killed Davis, according to testimony from the officials. Morris did not take the stand during the trial.
Morris had been arrested in Phoenix on a burglary charge.
In the trial, defense attorney James Rumseh questioned the officials' tactics used to gain Morris's confession. He said Morris was coerced and intimidated before he confessed.
Rumsey said the verdict would be appealed.
Morris will be sentenced March 6. He
will be sentenced to the Douglas County
trial until sentence is完了.
James Owen, the jury foreman, said after the verdict that he thought Morris received a fair trial.
He said jury members had some conflicting opinions initially because the defense raised questions in their minds about the acceptability of Morris' confession.
"It was kind of an emotional experience."
Owen said. "It's not an easy thing."
Lawrence police officials' testimony about the confession was the most compelling, he said.
Wells said he never had any serious disputes about whether the jury would be allowed to move forward.
He said he did not think the police officers should change their way of interrogating suspects.
Lawrence police Sgt. Carrol Crossfield and Detective Craig Shanks, the officials who interviewed Morris, did not know when they were interrogating Morris.
Wells said the officers did their job correctly.
"Each officer develops their own way of taking a confession," he said. "Suspects are inhibited by tape recorders or video recorders and you don't get a full or complete confession."
Christine McFartand / KANSAN
Eye to eye
Jason Needham, Topeka junior, looks at a painting by Peter McCarthy, visiting professor of art, titled, "The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui: Improvisation, Masked Players Entering Left." The department of art faculty exhibit, "New Work," which opened Sunday in the Art and Design building, will continue until Feb. 21.
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