Oneand done
“ It’s always been a dream to play
Kelly Oubre Jr. is leaving the Jayhawks for the NBA draft.
in the NBA. This is an opportunity to play against the best in the world and expand my game.” SPORTS, 1C
California faces historic drought restrictions. 1B
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THURSDAY • APRIL 2 • 2015
Budget deal spares KU, K-State from major cuts
KU’s brass shines at Statehouse
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In exchange, tuition can’t be increased for next two years By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photos
NATI ZICKER, 13, OF LAWRENCE, peers over the railing in the rotunda of the Kansas Statehouse as he listens to a performance by the Kansas University Brass Ensemble on Wednesday. The Ensemble played over the noon hour for visitors to the Capitol. Zicker was able to break away from his duties as a legislative page to listen to the concert. BELOW FROM LEFT: The KU banner hangs from horns; KU senior Taylor Ensminger, of Peabody, center, performs with the french horn section; and ensemble members gather beneath the rotunda. To view an audio slideshow of the KU Brass Ensemble’s performance, visit LJWorld.com/CapitolConcert4115
Miller daughter: I heard Mom screaming By Caitlin Doornbos Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos
The daughter of a 56-yearold former Lawrence carpenter and Christian school leader charged with firstdegree murder in the death of his wife testified at her father’s retrial Wednesday that she heard her mother screaming the morning her mother died. A Douglas County jury convicted Miller in 2005 of first-degree murder in the July 28, 2004, death of
Mary E. Miller, 46, at the family’s central Lawrence home. The Kansas Court of Appeals ruled in February 2014 that Miller should get a new trial based on errors in the jury instructions during his Miller initial trial. On Wednesday, prosecutor Mark Simpson argued that Martin Miller strangled Mary Miller in their bed because he was engaged in a four-year affair with for-
mer Eudora resident Carrie Parbs. The state argues that Miller wanted a divorce but that “was not an option” due to his religion, so he chose to kill Mary Miller. Simpson told jurors that Parbs is expected to testify. Miller’s attorney, Richard Ney, said that he will argue that Mary Miller’s death was not a homicide. Ney said that jurors will hear from expert doctors, includ-
City makes downtown more cycle friendly
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f you get a flat tire on your bike in Lawrence, you’re in luck if you’re near City Hall. The city has installed a bicycle repair station outside the east entrance, at 6 E. Sixth St. The repair station has several hand tools secured via cables. Tightening a loose nut or making chain repairs, brake adjustments and that sort of thing can be done at the bike station.
It also has an air pump. There’s been a lot of talk about making Lawrence more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. The repair station is meant as a pilot project. Staff will monitor use and feedback from the bicycle community. If bikers find it useful, there may be others installed along frequent bike routes and trails.
High: 72
Low: 43
Today’s forecast, page 8A
Please see DEAL, page 8A
Lawmakers move on pensions, guns, abortions
ing pathologist Cyril Wecht, who will testify that Mary Miller’s death was likely of natural causes. In Miller’s first trial, Lawrence Police Det. Scott Slifer testified he found more than 700 pornographic photos and 291 pornographic videos on Miller’s computer. Miller ad- By John Hanna Associated Press mitted to a pornography addiction, saying it led him to Topeka — Kansas legislators Wednesparticipate in an online adultdating service and to his day advanced a bill authorizing $1 billion eventual extramarital affair in bonds to help shore up the state’s public pension system. Please see MILLER, page 2A The plan for pension bonds emerged from negotiations between the House and Senate, which also produced the education budget compromise. The House approved the bonds plan, 63-57, and the Senate planned to vote LEGISLATURE on it today, when approval would send it to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Brownback also announced plans to sign major gun-rights legislation, and the state released statistics on abortion showing an increase last year in pregnancies terminated with a procedure covered by a ban expected to take effect in July.
— Chad Lawhorn
Please see PENSIONS, page 2A
INSIDE
Thunderstorm Business Classified Comics Deaths
Topeka — Kansas House and Senate budget negotiators reached agreement Wednesday on a bill that would spare Kansas University and Kansas State University from significant cuts that had been proposed earlier. In exchange, though, Regents universities would not be allowed to increase tuition for the next two years. And 60 percent of state-funded student financial aid would be reserved for students attending private, independent colleges KU spokesman and universities. KU spokesman Tim Ca- Tim Caboni boni, who sat through the described the conference committee deal “as a very talks, called it a good deal. good outcome” “Flat tuition for students for this point in is a win for the parents and the process. families in Kansas,” Caboni said. “The Legislature agreed to work with us to keep tuition flat for our students and at the same time not target us with cuts. For this point in the process, it’s a very good outcome.” The House and Senate could vote on
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Rep. Valdenia Winn under investigation for comments. Page 3A
Vol.157/No.92 26 pages