Latest news with #LawrenceSchoolDistrict
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
20-year-old man convicted in 2023 I-70 road rage killing near Oak Grove
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 20-year-old Cape Girardeau, Missouri has been on I-70 near Oak Grove that left 53-year-old Gary Denham dead. On Thursday, a Jackson County jury convicted Charles Smith Jr. of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. On Friday, the jury recommended a total of 47 years in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. Smith will be sentenced on May 1. Student's family suing Lawrence School District after alleged sex abuse According to court records, Just before 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Oak Grove police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to an incident on eastbound I-70 at Oak Grove. The driver of a white Hyundai Elantra, with Florida registration, and the driver of a green Ford pickup, were reportedly involved in a road-rage incident, during which the driver of the pickup went off the side of I-70 and crashed into a parked vehicle at the Petro Travel Center, according to court documents. The driver of the pickup, identified as Denham, was found with an apparent gunshot wound and died from his injuries. Witnesses reported the description of the suspect vehicle. One witness reported hearing a 'popping noise' immediately before Denham went off the roadway. Another witness reported Smith driving erratically, then overtook and struck Denham's pickup, which caused it to go off the roadway. White paint was evident on the driver's side truck bed of Denham's Ford, according to court documents. Troopers located Smith later traveling east in Lafayette County. Troopers attempted to stop Smith but he sped away, eventually stopping in a field south of I-70 and ran on foot. Following an overnight search, Smith was located hiding behind an automotive shop in Sweet Springs and taken into custody. Video surveillance was located and positively identified Smith as the suspect. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Smith told the highway patrol Denham was driving aggressively, used obscene gestures towards him, and cut him off. Smith said the pickup struck his vehicle multiple times which made him mad, according to court records. After further questioning, Smith stated he fired a shot at the pickup because he thought his vehicle could overturn and he could be ejected, court records say. Smith said he fired at the pickup without aiming, and that it was intended to be a warning shot. He said he was unaware he struck the victim. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
More alleged victims come forward after Lawrence teacher charged with assault
LAWRENCE, Kan. — A Lawrence, Kansas teacher is facing sexual assault of a minor and kidnapping charges. Douglas County prosecutors charged Mark Gridley, a teacher at Prairie Park Elementary. Lawrence police announced on Tuesday that more alleged victims have come forward since the news broke on Monday. Now, detectives are expanding the investigation. Deputy Chief Anthony Brixius said the investigation will include potential students outside of those receiving speech services at the school. Man pleads guilty for Shawnee house fire that injured family Gridley, 60, was a speech and language pathologist at Prairie Park Elementary School. He's under the age of 14 and one count of kidnapping. Brixius said according to public records, Gridley's worked in the Lawrence School District since 2021. Police continue to ask parents to speak with their children. They say it's important to ID anyone impacted so they can get services to victims. 'It's heartbreaking and if you hear a parent call in and talk about what they spoke with their children about and the parents thus far have been good about following the directions,' Brixius said. 'You can certainly hear the pain in their voices and we have a lot of investigators on this right now.' Lawrence Public Schools said Monday 'The district immediately relieved the individual of all duties.' Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Gridley's being held on a $1.5 million bond. His next court appearance is Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
