Kansas Supreme Court to Convene in Logan for Special Outreach Session, Featuring Local Connections and Educational Opportunities

by Derek White

LOGAN, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court will hold a special outreach session on Tuesday, April 29, at the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center (LIFE Center), marking its annual visit to a Kansas community as part of its initiative to bring the judiciary closer to the people it serves.

Led by Chief Justice Marla Luckert, a Goodland native who has served on the court since 2003, the session aims to increase public understanding of the court's role and expose students and community members to the workings of the judicial system. Luckert, joined by six fellow justices—all Kansas natives—will begin the day with an educational presentation at 9:30 a.m., followed by oral arguments at 10 a.m. and an informal reception afterward.

The LIFE Center, an innovative facility completed in 2024, provides the ideal setting for this session. It combines a pre-K through fourth-grade school with a 36-bed skilled nursing facility and connects to Logan's existing middle and high school buildings. Designed to foster intergenerational interaction, the center includes a gymnasium for large events, which will serve as the courtroom for the day.

Case with a “CSI Twist”

The court will hear State of Kansas v. Stanton S. Holt, a post-conviction appeal involving DNA evidence. Holt, convicted in 1994 of two counts of first-degree murder and multiple burglary charges in Geary County, is currently serving two life sentences plus up to 355 years. In 2020, he requested new DNA testing on evidence collected during the original investigation. The district court initially agreed but later rescinded the order after hearing that the evidence had not been properly preserved, making scientifically valid testing impossible. Holt argues that under Kansas law, he is entitled to the testing regardless of those factors.

Chief Justice Luckert explained that the case might particularly interest students and the public due to its forensic angle. “It has a CSI twist,” she said. “Kansas law allows for post-conviction DNA testing in certain cases, and the tools available today are far more advanced than they were in 1994.”

A Personal Mission for Chief Justice Luckert

For Luckert, the visit to northwest Kansas is deeply personal. “I was born and raised in Goodland and graduated from Goodland High School,” she shared in an interview. “It’s really meaningful to return to this part of the state and give back in this way.”

The outreach program began in 2011, with a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the court has convened special sessions in communities including Colby, Hays, Salina, Wichita, Overland Park, and many others. “Even before we had live-streaming capabilities, we knew people—especially in rural areas—didn’t have access to see us in action,” Luckert said. “Appellate courts are very different from trial courts, and we wanted to give Kansans the chance to see and understand that difference.”

Engaging the Next Generation

Nearly 250 students from schools across northwest Kansas will attend the session in person, with additional students tuning in via livestream. Schools participating in person include Logan, Hill City, Phillipsburg, Stockton, Palco, Hoxie, Russell, Trigo Community, and Heartland Christian. Norton Community High School and Smith Center will view the session online.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for young people to explore potential careers in the legal system,” Luckert said. “We’ll talk with students about the many roles within the judiciary—from judges to clerks to forensic analysts—and encourage them to consider public service.”

Honoring Local Leadership

Adding a special local touch to the session, retired Phillips County District Court Clerk and current Logan mayor Debra Grammon will serve as honorary bailiff. Nominated by 17th Judicial District Chief Judge Paula Hofaker, Grammon brings over two decades of court experience and civic service. “It’s good for children and the community to see how the court is run,” Grammon said. “I think it will be very informative for them.”

Public Invited

The session is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. and all guests must pass through security screening. While the entire event won’t be livestreamed, the oral arguments will be broadcast at YouTube.com/KansasSupremeCourt, and case briefs are available at kscourts.gov/travel-docket.

“We want Kansans to know who we are, what we do, and how we ensure fair and impartial resolution of disputes,” said Luckert. “And we’re honored to do that in a place like Logan, in a facility that truly represents community collaboration.”

Whether attending in person or tuning in online, northwest Kansas residents have a unique chance to witness justice in action—and meet the people behind the robes.