WATONGA – Former Watonga Police Chief Shawn Kays appeared briefly at the Blaine County Courthouse last Thursday, Aug. 5, after he was charged last month with first-degree burglary and misdemeanor assault and battery.
Kays appeared with his attorney, Daniel Webber, before Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter. Judge Allison Lafferty recused herself from the case days before, leaving the Kingfisher-based Schneiter to handle Kays’ appearance.
The hearing was brief, as Schneiter ordered Kays to appear again on Tuesday, Oct. 26, in Kingfisher County.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation pressed charges against Kays and a warrant was issued for his arrest on July 22. Two days later, Kays turned himself in to the Blaine County Jail and was released on $40,000 bond.
The burglary and assault charges against Kays come two years after he was filmed arresting Julia Cosby outside her Watonga home while not in uniform. The charges allege he entered Cosby’s home without permission and used excessive force against her that day.
Kays is scheduled back in court this week regarding an unrelated protection order that was filed against him by an ex-girlfriend earlier this summer. Kays was fired from the Watonga Police the same day that order was served.