The Attorney General’s Office filed response Thursday, June 02, 2011, to defendant’s motion to reduce bond. The Attorney General’s Office requested the Court seal the response.
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Brett Seacat was back in Kingman County Court Thursday morning. He appeared for the first time with his attorney Roger Falk.
His attorney filed two different motions. The first was to make sure the Kansas Bureau of Investigation didn't destory field notes investigators took during the investigation. He says that information is necessary instead of just relying on the KBI's reports.
Falk also filed a motion to have Seacat's bond reduced. He says something like $50,000 or $100,000 would be more reasonable. Right now Seacat is being held on a $1 million bond.
Falk told the judge Seacat is willing to pay for electronic monitoring if he can bond out of jail. He's also willing to check in with the sheriff's department daily. Falk says Seacat grew up here and his family is well known in the community. He says his parents are willing to let Seacat stay at their home.
Seacat is being held in solitary confinement at the jail because of his law enforcement background. Falk says while he understands the decision, it would be better for Seacat to bond out and be at home with his family. He says Seacat hasn't seen his boys since his arrest and it's difficult to not have contact with anyone all day.
Falk says Seacat wants to get this situation behind him. He says the case will come down to whether Vashti Seacat died because of a suicide or homicide. The state didn't respond in court about the bond reduction, instead asking to file a written response. That isn't due until June 2nd. The judge will make his decision about bond sometime after that.
The judge also set the preliminary hearing for Seacat for August 24th. That's when the state will have to present evidence to convince a judge Seacat should go to trial.
He's charged with first degree murder, aggravated arson and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child. He's accused of killing his wife Vashti and setting their home on fire. His two sons were home at the time the fire started.
Seacat's family didn't want to comment after the hearing Thursday, but have said in the past they believe he's innocent and will prove it.
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Friday May 20, 2011
Brett Seacat resigned from his position at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Seacat is in the Kingman County jail accused of killing his wife Vashti Seacat and setting their home on fire April 30th.
Seacat submitted his letter of resignation Thursday to the directer Ed Pavey. "Please accept this unconditional, irrevocable resignation of my instructor appointment at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center," Seacat wrote.
Earlier this week, a judge ruled that since Seacat was on paid administrative leave from the KLETC, he could help pay for his court appointed attorney. He was supposed to start paying $1,000 a month for his defense starting June 1st.
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Wednesday May 18, 2011
The Kingman man accused of killing his wife must help pay for an attorney. Monday Brett Seacat appeared in court to hear the charges against him. During that time he asked for a court appointed attorney.
He since filled out a financial affidavit. In it Seacat states he works at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and that he has no salary. He also lists monthly expenses at $600 for food and clothing. He marked the box on the form that he has no money to help pay for his defense.
The judge issued an order stating Seacat can afford $1,000 a month for his court appointed attorney. The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center says Seacat is on administrative leave with pay. Seacat's current salary at the KLETC is $54,800.
The judge writes Seacat's monthly salary should be between $3,000 and $3,200 a month. As long as that income continues and Seacat is not terminated, the judge states that salary can be used for his defense. The judge also writes that the listed $600 for food and clothing won't be needed because Seacat is in jail. He's required to start paying for the attorney June 1st.
The judge's order goes on to say the typical attorney cost for a first degree murder trial is between $75,000 and $100,000. The judge writes Seacat can't afford to hire his own attorney based on his salary and assets.
Seacat is charged with first degree murder, aggravated arson and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child. He's accused of killing his wife Vashti Seacat and setting their Kingman home on fire April 30th. Two days before the fire Vashti served Brett with divorce papers.
His next scheduled court appearance is May 26th. The Attorney General's office says it will most likely be to introduce the defense attorney and discuss bond. Seacat is being held on a $1 million bond.
