Pleas expected in local court cases

Two area residents are scheduled to enter pleas in court Monday — one for charges of theft and other crimes and the other for a charge of aggravated battery.

Teresa D. Yelland, former city clerk of Williamsburg, waived her rights to a preliminary hearing in January. Yelland, 32, Quenemo, was charged with theft by deception, making a false writing and computer crime. All are felony charges.

Steve Six, Kansas attorney general, and Jon Fleenor, assistant attorney general, said Yelland stole at least $1,000 but less than $25,000 from the City of Williamsburg between 2004 and 2007.

Prosecutors also said Yelland was involved with a financial document in October 2006 that falsely stated the use of a check written from the City of Williamsburg’s checking account that she had converted to personal use.

Yelland also is accused of using a computer or computer system or network to defraud and obtain money.

Her arraignment hearing — during which she’ll plead guilty, not guilty or no contest — is set for 2 p.m. Monday at Franklin County District Court.

During Yelland’s preliminary hearing, her lawyer referred to ongoing plea negotiations with the state, though he said he didn’t know what plea Yelland would enter during arraignment.

Also set for arraignment at 2 p.m. Monday is the case of Brad Burke, 19, Ottawa, who was charged with aggravated battery in connection with a July 15 stabbing in the 1600 block of Osage Drive.

Late last month, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to continue the case of Burke. During his preliminary hearing, the state played a recorded interview between Burke and police in which Burke admitted stabbing 23-year-old David Connelly with a pocketknife.

During the interview, Burke said the two got into an argument and Connelly came at him in a threatening way.

“I don’t know why I did what I did, but I stabbed him,” he said during the interview. “I panicked. I reacted.”

Connelly was treated for a non-life threatening injury.