THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013
PAGE 3
CRIME
Police arrest suspect in U.S. Bank robbery
EMILY DONOVAN
edonovan@kansan.com
The Lawrence Police Department has arrested a suspect for Thursday afternoon's unarmed robbery of U.S. Bank. Matthew Wayne Headley, 37, was arrested Friday night at 10:17 p.m. heading west on Interstate 70 at mile marker 101 by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Courtwright, whose daughter was waiting in the car when the suspect walked out, said that the teller remained calm, waited until the suspect left the building, then said, "Lock the doors, we've just been robbed." According to Courtwright, there were two other customers and the rest of the tellers inside at the time of the robbery. Police officers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrived on the scene and canvassed the area. The bank reopened for business later that afternoon. The Lawrence Police Department interviewed Headley, who matched witnesses' descriptions of the robber, on Thursday but did not make an arrest at that time. Physical evidence examined Friday gave police probable cause for Headley's arrest. Head-
At 1:19 p.m. Thursday, an unarmed man described as a 40-year-old, 6-foot-3 black male entered the 1807 W. 23rd Street U.S. Bank and handed the teller a note. Without exchanging words, the teller handed the man cash who then fled the bank headed southwest on foot. "It was quick -- quiet -- and nobody was hurt," said Barbara Courtwright, witness and Lawrence resident.
ley, who now lists his home address in Colorado, is a former Lawrence resident. In 1998, he plied guilty to armed robbery of the Taco John's at 1101 W. 6th Street and a local liquor store.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
TOPEKA FROM PAGE 1
ordinances that include sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently, Lawrence is the only city to have such laws. Previously, Salina and Hutchinson had similar antidiscrimination ordinances.
however, you were repealed in 2012. The state of Kansas has several laws against the LGBT community. Not only does it ban
Manspeaker
samesex marriage under state law but also under a constitutional amendment passed in 2005 that defines marriage as "a civil contract between one man and one woman only."
In addition, Kansas laws have also made it impossible for same-sex couples to file joint taxes, receive married benefits or adopt children together.
Though the fight for gay rights has been slow for Kansas, Manspeaker encourages students to communicate their opinions to their city councils to speed up the process.
"Voices are very important with this cause," Manspeaker says. "Every contact means something."
For students, the news has instilled a sense of hope that Kansas may finally be on a path toward equality.
Tim Hewitt, a fifth-year senior
from Arkansas City, Kan, and vice president of Delta Lambda Phi, sees this as a symbolic effort that could potentially lead to more legislation supporting gay rights.
"Since it's happening in the state capital it's definitely a visible place," Hewitt said. "More and more cities in Kansas could follow and if there's enough local support it could work itself up to the state level."
Though Hewitt acknowledges that the state's support of gay rights will indeed come slowly, he believes it will eventually come nonetheless.
But to do so, Hewitt thinks that we must first educate the public about the LGBT community to rid them of their preconceived judgments.
"It's a good step," Hewitt said. "But there's still a lot of misinformation out there that is holding us back."
Hewitt is hopeful that this ordinance, if passed, could diminish the overall public fear of people who are different.
"There are still people out there who are advocating for removing gays from society," Hewitt said. "But if this ordinance can quiet those voices down, people can see that there is no difference between gay and straight and we can move on."
Brown expressed similar fears of a regional war because of the varying interests of the surrounding countries. However, she said she only expects a regional conflict if the U.S. decides to intervene in Syria beyond the airstrikes that are being discussed by Congress.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
SYRIA FROM PAGE 1
a bear and not expect them not to attack you."
rrottessor Gail Buttoroff, who teaches Government and Politics in the Middle East, said the consequences of a conflict in Syria would be especially hard to predict because of how many actors are involved in the situation.
Buttoroff echoed questions that Congressmen, diplomats, refugees and journalists have been asking since evidence surfaced that Assad's regime used chemical weapons against its people.
"There's a high degree of uncertainty about how this will affect United States' relationship with Arab countries, but also with Iran and Russia," Butoroff said.
"How do we deal with the red line credibility issue?" Buttoroff said. "The Syrian people are suffering; will our military intervention help them or not?"
Buttoroff talked about Syria from a humanitarian perspective, emphasizing the effect Syria's civil war has on surrounding countries.
"We already have consequences," Buttoroff said. "In the sense that you have huge amounts of refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan."
Assessing the human aspect
Buttoroff said she would be hesitant to compare Syria to the situation in Iraq because of the differing goals for each intervention.
Congress is scheduled to vote on this issue Wednesday. A resolution drafted last week outlines a potential air strike against Syria to warn Assad and others that chemical weapons use will not be tolerated.
"I am not confident in the success of some limited strike," Brown said. "And it will be at the expense of lives of more Syrians."
She said the goal in Syria now seems to be to punish or deter Syria from using chemical weapons whereas in Iraq the U.S. sought regime change.
Brown also said because of the red line that was drawn, an immediate and forceful reaction is necessary.
Brown highlighted the difficulties in determining what course of action to take because of what one might believe philosophically versus what is practical.
No matter what action the U.S. takes, Brown said she is certain a resolution will not come quickly for the people of Syria.
What's next?
The resolution states that no troops will be put on the ground
"There is a growing recognition that the world cannot stand idly bv."
and sets a time limit for U.S. military action at 60 days with an optional renewal of 30 days.
President Obama also announced that he will make his case to the American people on Tuesday evening.
President Barack Obama met with global leaders Friday in Russia for the annual G20 summit.
"I've been encouraged by discussions with my fellow leaders this week," President Obama said.
Edited by James Ogdem
Though the G20 focuses on economic issues, in President Obama's news conference after the summit he said that leaders from Europe, Asia and the Middle East agreed a strong response to Syria's use of chemical weapons is necessary to maintain international law and norms.
Watson Library opened for student use 89 years ago on Wednesday.
POLICE REPORTS
- A 24-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 800 block of 12th Street on suspicion of aggravated battery. No bond was posted
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
Recycle Recycle Recycle
- A 20-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 1500 block of Indian Ave on suspicion of assault. A $100 bond was paid.
- A 20-year-old female was arrested yesterday on the 400 block of 14th Street on suspicion of domestic battery. No bond was posted.
- An 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday on Interstate 70 mile marker 203 on suspicion of a driving while intoxicated. A $250 bond was paid.
—Emily Donovan
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