TonganoxieMirror.com

Leavenworth County's lead prosecutor Frank Kohl has not yet made a decision on whether to amend a charge against a Leavenworth County Sheriff's Department deputy accused of causing the death of a volunteer Basehor firefighter late last year.

Robert J. Peterman has been charged in Leavenworth County District Court with vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor.

The charge stems from his alleged role in a traffic accident that resulted in the death of Jared Moore, a 19-year-old Fairmount Township Fire Department firefighter.

During a court hearing held in May, Kohl told the court that he was considering amending the misdemeanor charge to involuntary manslaughter, which is a felony.

Kohl said that he would make a decision by June 12.

Prosecution spokesperson Deborah Owen said Monday that Kohl is still weighing whether to amend the charge and that he would make a decision in time to meet his self-imposed deadline.

"He still may do that," Owen said.

Peterman is scheduled to appear in court next at 11 a.m. June 21 for a pre-trial hearing. A jury trial has been scheduled for Aug. 2 and 3.

On Dec. 29, 2004, Peterman's patrol car collided with Moore's civilian vehicle at the intersection of 155th Street and Donahoo Road. Both public servants were on their way to the scene of an injury accident.

Moore died as result of injuries sustained in the crash. After reviewing a Kansas Highway Patrol investigation report into the accident, the district attorney filed charges against Peterman.