Archive for Thursday, September 9, 2010

Three men face robbery charges

September 9, 2010


Prosecutors Wednesday said three Lawrence men used a gun to rob two other 20-year-old Lawrence men Monday night in a south Lawrence apartment, taking cash and other property.

During the robbery, one victim was knocked unconscious, said Bree Gorynski, a legal intern in the Douglas County district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors Wednesday afternoon filed two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery each against Christopher D. Self and Douglas A. Bittinger, both 19, and Joshua Self, 18.

“There was a firearm involved in this incident. One of the victims had to have staples in his head because he was knocked unconscious,” Gorynski told Judge Pro Tem James George.

According to court documents and Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors allege the three men planned the robbery and eventually drove to the apartment at The Exchange, 3100 Ousdahl Road. Lawrence police arrested Christopher and Joshua Self early Tuesday in the 3400 block of West Sixth Street, and they apprehended Bittinger later Tuesday in the 500 block of Eldridge Street.

Police have provided little details about the case.

Gorynski said in court Wednesday that prosecutors believe Christopher Self drove co-conspirators to the apartment and away later after the robbery was complete. She said that Joshua Self has a lengthy juvenile court record and that Christopher Self was on probation for past drug and gun convictions.

George agreed to set each man’s bond at $100,000.

Sarah Swain, an attorney Bittinger has retained, asked George to set her client’s bond at $20,000, saying that he did not have a significant criminal history and that he wanted to be able to work construction during the pending case.

Swain also said prosecutors are not accusing Bittinger of being armed with a gun, but George still set his bond at $100,000.

“It’s not alleged Mr. Bittinger had the gun,” George said. “On the other hand, it is alleged he did most of the bodily harm.”

Bittinger is next due in court Sept. 21. His two co-defendants are scheduled to appear again in court Tuesday.


kansasredlegs 4 years, 3 months ago

Perhaps, but "other property" is codeword for "drugs." Sounds like the defendants tried to jack the dealers. Not very often armed individuals go to an apartment unless they have knowledge that there will be "cash" and "other property."

Therefore, let's hope that if that's the case, the armed individuals get what's coming to them, and then those with "cash" and "other property" get the ruler of law slapped across their knuckles as well if in fact they were in business without proper city licensing and Kansas tax stamps affixed to the "other property."

John Spencer 4 years, 3 months ago

What a waste. I hope they are given VERY lengthy sentences, because when they get out this time, they will be ready, willing and able to commit some very serious felonies.

matthewjherbert 4 years, 3 months ago

according to his arrest record, Chris Self is 6'3 and 145 pounds. Hopefully that "other property" was a cheeseburger, because that guy needs a few pounds.

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