Maughan & Maughan Attorney argues the right of a defendant to present his own theory of defense before Kansas Supreme Court

In the opening argument for the September docket of the Kansas Supreme Court, Maughan & Maughan appellate attorney, Carl Maughan, appeared to argue on behalf of Akira Brown's appeal of his conviction for first degree murder following an apparently gang related fatal shooting outside a night club in Wichita's old town district. While several issues were raised in the briefs for the appellant, the oral advocacy centered around Counsel's assertion of the constitutional right's of a criminal defense to present his own theory of defense throught his attorney to the jury and to confront the witnesses against him.

A decision by the Kansas Supreme Cpurt is expected in late October or Early November. Mr. Brown's attorneys remain confident that the constitutional rights to present a defense and confront one's accusers will be upheld before the Kansas Supreme Court as they have recently been up held by the United States Supreme Court in Davis v. Washington http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05pdf/05-5224.pdf and Holmes v. South Carolina. http:///www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05pdf/04-1327.pdf .


KATE ZIGTEMA TO JOIN MAUGHAN & MAUGHAN LC.

On another front, Maughan & Maughan LC is pleased to announce the addition of Kate Zigtema to our legal team. Kate will join the firm as an associate and will add extra depth to our criminal defense team.

Kate completed her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University in 2004 with a double major in International Business and Finance. Kate graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2007.

While at law school, Kate represented Kansas University in the Jessup International law moot court competition, She also worked with the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. received court room experience as an employee of the Johnson County District Attorney’s where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor crimes on behalf of the State of Kansas.

Kate will focus her practice on criminal defense litigation. Primarily, she will be providing legal services to our indigent clients under the Maughan & Maughan's contract to provide indigent defense services to those accused of crimes in Wichita Municipal Court.

We look forward to a long and fruitful association with Kate and welcome her aboard.