Trial postponed for 10th time
Staff writer
The trial of a Marion man charged with 12 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with children and one count of battery was postponed Wednesday for the 10th time in four years.
According to John Milburn, public information officer for the state attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting the case, Thouvenell needed another lawyer before trial.
“An issue that arose necessitated additional counsel being appointed to represent the defendant,” Milburn said. “The trial was postponed to give additional time for the new counsel to be adequately prepared.”
A June 23 ruling by judge Michael Powers appointed Newton lawyer Kevin Loeffler to assist in defending Thouvenell. A lawyer earlier appointed, David Leon of Wichita, will remain on the case.
According to a complaint filed in the case, Thouvenell’s alleged crimes spanned from Jan. 1, 2012, to Aug. 8, 2016.
He is accused of engaging in lewd fondling or touching with the intent to arouse or satisfy sexual desires of himself or the children.
His wife, Sheila Thouvenell, was charged with interference with law enforcement and two counts each of aggravated endangerment of a child and aggravated intimidation of a witness.
She pleaded no contest in April 2018 to interference with law enforcement and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation. The remaining charges were dismissed.