Assault case making its way through Allen County court

A controversial criminal case that Allen County Sheriff Thomas R. Williams says is probably best handled in court, involving a farmer's alleged shooting of a teenage gasoline theft suspect, is making its way through the system.

The situation prompted a fundraiser at Fort Scott Livestock Market for Bronson farmer Roger Welch, who has been charged with aggravated battery.

Williams said that following a telephone call from Welch, Allen County sheriff's deputies were called about five miles northwest of Bronson to Welch's property at 11:40 p.m. Dec. 22, 2011.

The sheriff explained that Welch had reported confronting someone who was trying to steal gas and firing a warning shot with his shotgun.

When officers arrived, they said, Welch had allegedly fired an additional shot at Zeffrey Doolittle as Doolittle was running away and hit the 17-year-old Mapleton youth "in the backside" with some small buckshot.

Williams said Doolittle has been charged with theft.

There had been a number of thefts in that part of Allen County, north of Fort Scott, "and people get tired of that after a while," Williams said. He added that there had been a couple of previous theft reports in that area and a couple in nearby Bourbon County.

"This is one of those cases where everybody is trying to do the right thing. It has to be handled in court and that's probably the best way for it to be handled," said Williams.

A recent Chili and Nut Feed for Justice was held at the auction to help defray legal expenses for Welch. "As landowners and property owners, you come out and support your neighbors," said livestock market staff member Tyler Martin. "If I had stuff stolen, I'd be mad, too, and I hope somebody would help me out."

Richard Woodward of Bronson said he and his brother had had things stolen from them. "We want to do something to help the situation," Woodward told the Tribune.

The next step in the case is a preliminary status hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 28 at the Allen County Courthouse in Iola. according to the County Attorney's Office.