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Photo by
Thomas Kippen
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The trial of KNOP Weatherman Thomas Kippen that was slated for Friday, Nov. 13, has been pushed back again, this time until Dec. 4. Lincoln County Judge Kent Florom warned Friday Nov. 6 that this would be the final continuance he would issue in the case. Kippen was arrested, along with four other people, for his involvement in a party where minors were drinking May 16 in Maxwell. The state has been responsible for the last two delays in the trial. On October 16, Kippen and his attorney Russ Jones were on hand at the Lincoln County Courthouse, but Deputy County Attorney Todd Engleman asked for a continuance. Engleman stated that he had been ill and was not able to contact the witnesses for the trial. This time, the state asked for a continuance because Sgt. Rollie Kramer of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and lead investigator in the case, could not be on hand due to previously scheduled training. Previously the trial had been delayed in July when Kippen asked for a jury trial. His request was granted and the trial set for Sept. 28. As that date approached, Kippen opted to waive his right to a jury trial and have a bench trial instead. That was scheduled for Oct. 9, before being rescheduled for Oct. 16 and ultimately continued due to Engleman’s illness. In May, Maxwell school officials learned of Facebook pictures of a party that showed minors drinking with adults. They alerted the Sheriff’s Office. The four others besides Kippen that were arrested in connection with the party were Lane and Connie Dancer, Brad Burke and his son Keifer. All except Kippen have had their cases resolved. The Dancers both pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and were fined $100 each, as was Brad Burke. Keifer Burke pleaded guilty to contributing and procuring charges, and was sentenced to 10 days in jail July 1. 10 days is the standard sentence Lincoln County judges issue to people convicted of procuring alcohol for minors. Kippen faces five counts of procuring and one count of contributing. If convicted of all six counts he could potentially face six years in prison.
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- 12/1/2009 5:14:20 AM
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