Wichita Bar Association

This page is a great way for members of the Wichita Bar Association to get information about upcoming events of interest to local attorneys and WBA event details. Links to meeting responses will be provided here, as well as loads of pictures from events that do not make the most recent publications of the WBA.

05/02/2024

Courtroom Victory by Wichita Attorney Jess Hoeme Is Televised Nationally This Week
On A&E Network Series, Accused: Guilty or Innocent?

WHAT and WHEN:
A courtroom victory won by Joseph, Hollander & Craft attorney Jess Hoeme is the subject of this week’s true-crime series, Accused: Guilty or Innocent?, to be broadcast nationally on the A&E Network Thursday, May 2, at 8 pm, and streaming the following day. See the trailer for this episode, “Murderous Mother or Protective Parent?”

A London-based film crew followed Hoeme for three weeks during the summer of 2023 as he worked through pre-trial preparation and courtroom strategy, using Kansas’ Stand Your Ground defense to win dismissal of a charge of second-degree manslaughter and save his client from a possible 41-year prison sentence.

WHO:
Jess Hoeme is a criminal defense attorney representing clients accused of murder, domestic violence, DUI, and white-collar crimes. His experience includes five years as a prosecutor — four as Mitchell County Attorney, followed by a term as the lead narcotics prosecutor for the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office.

The client, Wellington resident Ashley Pearson, was a frequent victim of domestic violence by her boyfriend and accused of fatally stabbing him in 2018 in a bid to defend herself and her child. The pre-trial hearing for Kansas vs. Ashley Pearson took place Aug. 8, 2023, in Sumner County District Court and was televised live by Court TV.

WHY IT’S SIGNFICANT:
Hoeme and Pearson allowed A&E full access to their pre-trial strategy sessions because they wanted to send a clear message to other victims of domestic violence: If you’re in an abusive relationship, you have to get out before the situation ends with tragic consequences.

ABOUT THE SHOW:
“Accused: Guilty or Innocent?” follows the inside stories of people who find their freedom is on the line as they face trial for serious crimes they are alleged to have committed. Each episode follows the accused person’s journey through the planning of their legal defense, the trial and, ultimately, awaiting the judge’s decision or jury verdict.

05/10/2023

The Wichita Bar Association awarded McDonald Tinker Director Kate Olson the Benson-Batt Award to honor her years of organizing law-related events for local students. Congratulations Kate!