Lawrence journal world 02 04 14

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L A W R E NC E

Journal-World

®

75 cents

LJWorld.com

TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 4 • 2014

Prosecutor calls homicide ‘cruel, heinous and atrocious’ Defense attorney says client has mental problems

The suspect: Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, 19

The victim: Harold Sasko, 52

The district attorney: Charles Branson

The defense attorney: Carl Cornwell

By Nikki Wentling nwentling@ljworld.com

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said the state would seek a “Hard 50” sentence if Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, the 19-year-old woman accused of killing 52-yearold Lawrence resident Harold Sasko, is convicted of first-degree murder in a crime that Branson described as “cruel, heinous and atrocious.” That means McLinn, who on Monday made her first appearance in Douglas County District Court, could serve 50 years in prison without parole if a jury decides she’s guilty. “The facts of this case … determine that Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo a ‘Hard 50’ sentence MICHELLE GONZALES, RIGHT, mother of Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, walks Monday with other family members would be appropriate,” into the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center before a court appearance for McLinn, 19, who is Branson said at a press charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lawrence resident Harold M. Sasko, 52.

Cancellations: Go to LJWorld.com for the latest weather updates and to check for closings today and Wednesday.

Winter storm to clobber area ——

Six to 10 inches of snow expected; schools and other organizations announce closings in anticipation By Giles Bruce Twitter: @GilesBruce

Lawrence was to wake this morning to the worst storm of the season so far with the National Weather Service predicting wup to 10 inches of snow, and potentially more, through Wednesday morning. Kansas University, Lawrence public schools and many others are closed, the state is advising against nonessential travel, and residents spent Monday stocking up on milk, movies and shovels in anticipation. Shawn Byrne, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Topeka, said that this week’s storm is likely to be Snowmaggedon: Northeast Kansas Edition. “Provided we get the amounts we’re calling for, this would be biggest storm this season, at least for Topeka

Please see HOMICIDE, page 2A

Please see STORM, page 2A

Kansas physicians divided on use of medical marijuana By Giles Bruce Twitter: @GilesBruce

AP File Photo

Medical marijuana at a dispensary in Seattle

David Mulford has a heart condition, several hernias and severe muscle spasms. He had tried marijuana in the past and noticed that it relieved his pain. A few years ago, after Mulford testified at a hearing on medical pot at the Statehouse in Topeka, a man approached and gave him a sample of cannabis oil, claiming it would alleviate his symptoms. “The results were incredible, absolutely beyond any

Business Classified Comics Deaths

Low: 8

Today’s forecast, page 10A

Against

In favor

“Show me anywhere where we embrace smoking a medication ... I think the medical issue is a fraud, and it’s a Trojan horse. It’s purely to try to turn the public’s opinion.”

“Any medication is a balance between risk and benefit — cannabis is no different. But its benefits for properly selected patients considerably outweigh the risks for the individual.”

— Eric Voth, a Topeka internist

— Jon Hauxwell, a retired family doctor near Hays

Please see MARIJUANA, page 6A

INSIDE

Heavy snow

High: 27

expectation I may have had,” said Mulford, 55, of Hutchinson. “Over the last 20-some years, my physicians had literally thrown up their hands. I’d tried every medication available for muscle spasms ... and found they were either ineffective or had side effects I couldn’t handle. I was basically at the end of my straw.” But since cannabis is illegal in Kansas, even for medical purposes, Mulford stopped using the oil, afraid of getting himself or his

2A 6B-10B 9A 2A

Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion

5A, 2B 9B 4A 8A

Puzzles Sports Television Well Commons

9B 1B-5B 10A, 2B 6A-7A

Financing the fair

Vol.156/No.35 20 pages

The Douglas County Commission will consider a $6.5 million in fairground additions and upgrades at their Wednesday night meeting. Page 3A

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