Supreme Court visit to Lansing
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday
April 23
Printable flyer
The Kansas Supreme Court is heading to Lansing Middle School as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.
Oral argument and public reception
The Supreme Court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at:
Lansing Middle School
220 Lion Lane
Lansing
The public is invited to attend the special session in person. The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in two cases. When the session ends, justices will greet the public in an informal reception.
About oral argument
To learn about oral argument, visit Supreme Court Guide to Oral Argument.
Quiet, please
Talking during oral argument is prohibited. If you arrive after the session starts, or you must leave before it ends, be as quiet as possible entering and exiting. Also, do not talk outside the doors to the venue.
Security screening
If you attend in person, plan to arrive early to allow time to get through a security screening. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Follow these guidelines to make your check-in as quick and easy as possible:
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Do not bring large bags, large purses, backpacks, computer cases, or briefcases.
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Do not bring knives, pepper spray, firearms, or weapons.
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Do not bring electronic devices such as laptop computers, handheld games, personal digital assistants, or tablets. If you must carry a cell phone, turn off or silence its ringer, and store it out of sight.
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Do not bring food or drink.
Oral argument livestream
If you can't attend in person, the special session will be broadcast live online at www.YouTube.com/KansasSupremeCourt.
Cases on docket
The court publishes a booklet for the special session that explains the proceedings and describes the cases. Summaries of the cases to be heard, and briefs filed by the attorneys involved in the cases, will be posted on this webpage.
Appeal No. 124,160: Benchmark Property Remodeling, LLC (appellant) v. Grandmothers, Inc., Corefirst Bank and Trust, Kansas Department of Revenue, Robert Zibell, and State of Kansas (appellees)
Counsel for appellant: Diane Hastings Lewis
Counsel for appellees: Christine Caplinger, R. Patrick Riordan, and Adam King
Shawnee County: (Petition for Review) The Kansas Department of Revenue leased a building from Grandmothers. Benchmark submitted quotes for remodeling the building; KDOR approved the quotes and, once Benchmark completed the work, KDOR paid Grandmothers the full amount. Grandmothers did not pay Benchmark the full amount, however, and Benchmark sued both. The district court granted summary judgment to KDOR and partial summary judgment to Grandmothers, holding that Benchmark had no contract with either. Benchmark moved to dismiss its remaining claims without prejudice to appeal. The Court of Appeals reversed. The panel held it had appellate jurisdiction because Benchmark—which was time-barred from reviving its dismissed claims—had no pending claims in the district court. The panel also concluded the district court erred in holding, as a matter of law, that no contract existed. Grandmothers petitions this court for review.
Issues on review are whether the Court of Appeals erred: 1) by holding it had jurisdiction; and 2) in finding that issues of material facts remain.
Appeal No. 125,318: State of Kansas (appellee) v. Zshavon Malik Dotson (appellant)
Counsel for appellant: Peter Maharry
Counsel for appellee: Clair Kebodeaux, Kris Kobach
Wyandotte County: (Criminal Appeal) Dotson appeals his convictions for premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated battery. The district court sentenced him to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years, which is called a hard-25 sentence.
Issues on review are whether: 1) the prosecutor misstated the law on premeditation during closing arguments; 2) there was insufficient evidence of premeditation to support a conviction for first-degree murder; 3) premeditated first-degree murder and intentional second-degree murder are identical offenses; 4) the district court erred when instructing the jury on premeditation; 5) the verdict form erroneously listed guilty before not guilty; 6) Dotson's trial counsel provided constitutionally ineffective assistance; and 7) the cumulative effect of multiple trial errors denied Dotson a fair trial.
Travel docket history
In 2011, the Supreme Court convened outside its Topeka courtroom in the Kansas Judicial Center to mark the state's 150th anniversary. Its first stop was the historic Supreme Court courtroom in the Kansas Statehouse. From there, and through the end of 2011, the court conducted special sessions in Salina, Greensburg, and Wichita. Since then, the court has held special sessions as follows: