Lawrence Journal-World 05-17-2014

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SATURDAY • MAY 17 • 2014

Road work on Iowa to create traffic woes soon

TESTIMONY IN MCLINN CASE:

Victim drugged, nearly beheaded Letters were written on the wall in the blood of the deceased, according to a detective on the case. “She said she wanted to see someone die.�

By Chad Lawhorn

The defendant: Sarah B. Gonzales McLinn, 19.

clawhorn@ljworld.com

By the time this summer’s road construction season is over, local motorists may well hate corn, Hawkeyes and caucuses. It is going to be that type of summer for all things related to Iowa. The unofficial beginning of Lawrence’s summer construction season is Monday — the See where the day after Kanconstruction will sas University’s be this summer, graduation cerpage 7A. emonies — and much of this year’s pain will be found on Iowa Street. City engineers are quick to point out that there will be much progress there, too. “It is a priority in this community to improve the condition of our streets and the condition of our pavements,� City Engineer

Road map

The homicide victim, Harold Sasko, 52.

The homicide scene: Harold Sasko’s house in the 2900 block of West 26th Street. Sasko, McLinn’s former boss, was found dead on Jan. 17. He had been sharing his house with McLinn.

Please see ROADS, page 7A

Teen accused in slaying intends to rely on mental illness defense By Stephen Montemayor Twitter: @smontemayor

Sarah B. Gonzalez McLinn put crushed sleeping pills into Harold Sasko’s beer, bound his wrists and ankles together once he collapsed to the floor and plunged a hunting knife into his neck as far as she could before slicing ear to ear, according to testimony Friday by law enforcement officials and Coroner Erik Mitchell. McLinn, 19, is charged with firstdegree murder in the death of Sasko, 52, a Lawrence businessman with whom she had been living. She is also charged with felony theft for stealing his car. McLinn sat quietly through

and ankles cuffed together, as family and friends packed the half of the courtroom behind her table and several people testified. The letters “F� and “R� were written in Sasko’s blood on the wall of the home, in an attempt to write the word “freedom,� said Lawrence Detective M.T. Brown, who interThe attorneys: Douglas County viewed McLinn after she was deDistrict Attorney Charles tained in Florida, where she had fled Branson, left, and David Melton after Sasko’s death. (not pictured) are leading the Brown said McLinn told him she prosecution. Carl Cornwell, was unhappy with her life and wantright, is leading the defense. ed out of Sasko’s house and the life she had. “She felt freedom after she did it,� Brown said. much of her preliminary hearing Brown said McLinn told him that Friday, her long black hair pulled Please see TRIAL, page 2A into a ponytail and both her wrists

INSIDE

Partly sunny Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 64

Low: 38

Today’s forecast, page 10A

2A 1C-8C 10B 2A

Events listings Faith Forum Horoscope Opinion

5A, 2B Puzzles 9B Sports 7C Television 9A

7C 1B-8B 10A, 2B

First lady visits Topeka for two student events By John Hanna Associated Press

Topeka — First lady Michelle Obama told Kansas high school graduates Friday that young people who’ve grown up with diversity must lead a national fight against prejudice and discrimination because after six decades, the Brown v. Board of Education ruling against school segregation is “still being decided every single day.� Obama spoke to several Obama thousand students and parents at an event honoring high school graduates in Topeka, the state capital. Her speech came the day before the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision

Female combat officer

Please see OBAMA, page 2A

Vol.156/No.135 28 pages

KU Army ROTC will commission its first female combat officer, Madeline Wilcox of Leavenworth. Page 3A

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Let’s Talk About It: Bladder Control & Aging Senior Supper & Seminar

Tuesday, May 20 (Supper, 5 pm & Seminar, 6 pm) Lawrence Memorial Hospital Presented by Jon Heeb, MD, Lawrence Urology Each month, LMH Community Education and LMH Dining Services (Unidine) are bringing to you a delicious three-course supper and a health seminar, presented by local physicians. Reservations are required, 24 hours in advance. The cost is $5.50 for the meal and the seminar is free.

t lmh.org


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