The jury trial for Ray Anthony Miles, charged with a 5/23/12 attack on several WIBW-TV Topeka employees after breaking in and wielding a knife, has been postponed for nearly two months. Two employees were injured in the scuffle at the Gray Television station.
The trial had been scheduled to start 9/12. But on Monday, the attorney representing Miles asked for more time to prepare. The trial will start 11/5 before Shawnee County District Judge Evelyn Wilson, reports The Topeka Capital-Journal.
After a preliminary hearing 7/30, Miles was bound over for trial for three counts of aggravated battery and one count each of aggravated burglary and making a criminal threat, all felonies. Miles will also be tried on misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal damage to property.
Miles had originally gone to WIBW asking the station to do a story. He was allowed into the front lobby and receptionist Lynda Janes called News Director Jon Janes to talk with him. Miles told Janes he was upset by the way the VA was handling his case. Janes explained to the man that he needs to discuss the issue with the VA and that WIBW couldn’t help him at this time.
Miles left the building, but returned about 10 minutes later and became agitated when personnel refused to let him in. When he saw station staff use the phone to call police, Miles pushed aside a sofa in the entryway, unplugged a lamp and smashed the glass front doors with it. He then reached through to open the door.
Station employees said Miles punched, kicked, shoved and stabbed them during a fracas inside the station. When employees were subduing Miles on the floor, authorities said he dug a knife with a 4-inch blade out of his pocket, opened it with one hand and started stabbing people.
Station employees said that during the attack, Miles threatened to kill them. One male employee was jumping up and down on Miles’ back when it was learned other employees were being stabbed, according to testimony.
An employee eventually took the knife out of Miles’ right hand.
See The Topeka Capital-Journal story here.
