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Jury finds Peterman not guilty

By Joshua Roberts - | Sep 15, 2005

A Leavenworth County jury found embattled sheriff’s office deputy Robert J. Peterman not guilty of a vehicular homicide charge Thursday afternoon.

The charge stems from a Dec. 2004 accident at the intersection of 155th Street and Donahoo Road, north of Basehor. The deputy’s police cruiser collided with the civilian vehicle of Jared Moore, a 19-year-old local firefighter who died from injuries sustained.

Both Peterman and Moore were traveling to the scene of an injury accident when their vehicles collided.

The trial, which was scheduled to last two days, stretched into a third. Testimony concluded Thursday morning.

After listening to closing arguments, the jury deliberated and announced its decision at approximately 4:30 p.m.

It is unknown whether Peterman, who’s been on unpaid administrative leave from the sheriff’s office since the accident, will return to the department.

“It’s premature at this point for us to make a comment,” said Leonard Ayers, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. Ayers added that the department had yet to be officially notified of the decision as of 5 p.m. Thursday.