Robbery trial of ex-KU player postponed

By Joel Mathis     Sep 7, 2000

The hearing for a former Kansas University football player accused of masterminding the robbery of a small-time drug dealer ground to a halt Wednesday when two witnesses opted to consult attorneys.

Dion Johnson, 23, is accused in Douglas County District Court of aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the June 27 incident. He played defensive end for the Jayhawks, his career ending with the 1999 season.

The alleged victim, a 21-year-old Lawrence man, testified Wednesday under a grant of limited immunity. He said he had returned home to the 1700 block of Kentucky from an evening of smoking pot and watching baseball. Two armed men entered the house and took his money and drugs.

One of the robbers, 17-year-old Stanley Harris, testified Wednesday after pleading no contest in the morning to an aggravated robbery charge. He was sentenced to two years in juvenile detention.

Harris said Johnson planned the heist.

“He said he knew somebody who had weed and money,” Harris said.

Johnson gave guns to Harris and another man identified only by his nickname, “Outlaw” then drove them to the house, Harris said. After the robbery, Johnson took them back to his house and divided the loot.

The robbery victim cleaned his house, getting rid of some drugs and paraphernalia, before calling police about the robbery.

He said he had known Johnson for more than a month before the robbery selling the former football player marijuana and ecstasy, a mind-altering street drug, while Johnson sold him cocaine.

The hearing ended when defense attorney Craig Stancliffe could not complete questioning of either Harris or the robbery victim. Both men hesitated when Stancliffe asked if he could get information from them after Wednesday’s hearing.

District Judge Michael Malone halted the hearing to allow both men to consult attorneys. The hearing will resume 9 a.m. Wednesday.

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