A bill requiring that people convicted of certain felonies be held without bond until sentencing cleared another hurdle toward becoming state law. The Kansas House of Representatives judiciary committee on Tuesday filed a recommendation that Kansas Senate Bill 358 be passed by the House body.
SB 358 wouldn’t have been considered by any of the legislature if it weren’t for a group of Manhattan women. Along with other victims of sexual crimes, some of the 19 victims of former chiropractor Clark Petersen turned to Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-66th District, to help them sponsor what would become SB358.
The bill requires individuals convicted of certain felonies be held without bond in county jail until sentencing. It amends K.S.A. 22-2804, the statute covering release after conviction. Current law dictates a person convicted of a crime that is either awaiting sentence or has filed a notice of appeal may be released by the district court, if the court or judge finds that the conditions of release will reasonably assure the person won’t flee or pose a danger to anyone in the community.
