Defendant apparently skips after delay

Monday, January 20, 2003

When the attorney was late and apparently hadn't done his homework, the judge threatened to throw him in jail and said he'd take up the case involved later in the afternoon.

When "later" came, the attorney's defendant was nowhere to be found.

Judge John Battershell issued an arrest warrant Friday afternoon for Patrick Steadman, 37, of Indianola, following an unusual turn of events in district court in McCook.

Judge Battershell threatened to jail McCook attorney Ryan Wilcox after Wilcox was 17 minutes late for Steadman's sentencing on possession of methamphetamine.

The judge became even angrier when the attorney admitted he had not read a presentence investigation report from probation officers.

Battershell ordered Wilcox to discuss the report with his client, who was present with Wilcox in court, and said they would take up Steadman's sentencing after a full schedule of arraignments. That was about 1:20 p.m.

After the arraignments, about 3:20 p.m., Battershell was ready to sentence Steadman but couldn't, because in the past two hours, it appeared Steadman had left the premises.

Wilcox told the judge that Mr. Steadman had gone to the bathroom and out to smoke a cigarette at 1:30 p.m.

"He's gone," Wilcox said. "The van he came in is gone, Your Honor," Wilcox told the judge.

Sheriff's officers searched the third floor of the courthouse, but did not find Steadman.

It was then Judge Battershell issued an arrest warrant for Steadman, and set bond at $25,000, with no 10 percent provision.

The sheriff reported Steadman's van is a dark blue 1990 Chevy Lumina mini-van with license plate 48-D568.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call law enforcement at 345-3450 or 345-1850.

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