Suspended Florence police chief makes pre-trial appearance
Merlin D. Stout, 60, suspended Florence Police Chief, made his pre-trial appearance May 19 in Marion County District Court.
The Kansas Attorney General's office is prosecuting the case and opened the pre-trial with a motion to allow testimony from specific witnesses related to the case.
Stout is charged with two counts of misdemeanor sexual battery stemming from an alleged incident involving a Florence woman. The woman claims Stout inappropriately touched her on three separate occasions.
Nona Wright of the attorney general's office stated other witnesses, including a Morton County woman, have come forward making similar claims. Stout previously resided in Morton County.
Defense attorney Craig Schultz said his client denies the charges.
Eighth Judicial Court Chief Judge Michael Powers did not approve or deny the state's motion but asked the state to provide a more detailed motion. The motion is to be submitted to the judge by tomorrow.
The motion will be sealed until the trial commences on June 22.
Six jury members will be selected beginning at 9 a.m. June 22 with the trial to follow. A six-member jury will be used because the charges are misdemeanors.
Stout was hired as Florence Police Chief Oct. 6, 2003. He was charged with the sexual offenses Feb. 13, 2004, and was suspended from the police department by the Florence City Council. He received pay through Feb. 21. He has been suspended without pay since that time.
