TOPEKA — Almost six months after the trial of chiropractor Clark Petersen began, some of his 19 victims passed the first hurdle to create a state law requiring a person be remanded to jail when convicted of certain felonies.
Senate Bill 358 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday and now will be put to vote on the Kansas Senate floor. Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-66th District helped sponsor the bill.
Petersen was allowed to remain on bond after being convicted in August of 51 counts of sex crimes against former chiropractic patients, since a jury had not yet decided on the state’s motion for a special sentencing adjustment.
One victim, Rita Welch, told the committee, “To him it was just one night; to us it was a lifetime.”
During Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the Capitol, victims who testified against Petersen in court voiced their support for the bill, saying it addresses a gap in the existing law and guidelines. Though not all of Petersen’s victims were there, those who did speak said the fact that he was allowed to go home after being convicted was a new trauma they had to deal with.
“I wasn’t going to go to the grocery store and I wasn’t going to go to the gas station because he might be there,” Carson Kober said. “That was unfair. It was as if our suffering didn’t matter.”
Many of the women who spoke said they were there for the same reason they pressed charges and testified against Petersen in court, to support other survivors of sexual crimes and make sure others wouldn’t have to endure what they did.
Petersen’s last night of freedom affected more than those involved in his case. Abby Stark, a 20-year-old K-State student from Minnesota, was preparing for her own case’s trial when the decision was made. Stark was the victim of Dylan Zeller, 19, of Leawood. Zeller faced charges of rape and aggravated sexual battery, but took a plea deal for two counts of aggravated battery at the end of his October trial.
Stark said when she heard Petersen wasn’t immediately taken into custody, she was filled with anxiety and worried about what would happen if something similar happened in her case.
“Coming forward and participating in the justice process required an incredible amount of courage and trust in the system I hoped would protect me,” Stark said. “This bill matters because it puts survivor safety first and ensures accountability happens when it should after conviction, and sends a clear message that survivors deserve protection, dignity and peace of mind.”
Chair of the committee Kellie Warren, R-District 11, appeared to be choked up following the women’s testimonies. She said she didn’t mean to get emotional and thanked the women for their courage and for bringing the issue to the legislature’s attention.
There was no verbal opposition to the bill and only one account of written opposition from criminal defense attorney Grace Tran. As there was no new opposition testimony to consider, Warren departed from the committee’s usual procedure and proceeded to work the bill.
Sen. Kenny Titus, R-18th District moved to pass SB 358 to the senate. The committee voted unanimously in favor. The bill will next be voted on by the Senate body. If approved, it then goes to the House Judiciary Committee for hearing.
Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson, one of the many to speak, said the issue was long overdue for review.
The bill’s advancement received a light round of applause from the victims and witnesses gathered. Many tearful embraces and sighs of relief were shared as the women left the hearing room.