Sometimes, when law enforcement agencies announce someone has been arrested or charged with a crime, they mention that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This principle places the burden of proof on the prosecution to show that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s an important reminder because sometimes a person is arrested but never formally charged or a different charge than originally reported is filed. Other times, the case goes to court and the person is found not guilty. Still other times, the charges are filed but the case never goes to court because the case is dropped.

Former Barton County resident J. Basil Dannebohm had one of those cases that never made it to trial before it was dismissed. In 2019, the Great Bend Tribune reported he’d been arrested in Saline County for mistreatment of a dependent adult. Dannebohm was considered a public figure because he had served briefly as a Republican member of the Kansas Representatives, representing the 113th District.

In 2012, Dannebohm said he was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease and in 2015, after serving only 42 days as a legislator, he resigned citing health reasons related to his Parkinson’s disease. That year he relocated to Pawnee Rock and organized two events to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease Awareness.

His arrest was a matter of public record. However, there was never a story following up. Later that year, the case was dismissed “without prejudice,” which left the door open for the case to be refiled at a later date. It was dropped altogether and the file was closed forever in 2021.

Recently, Dannebohm contacted the Tribune asking that we either provide the rest of the story to our readers or remove the original article from our website. He said this is a request he has made before, and while other newspapers honored his request the Tribune did not.

We don’t know what may have happened or when that request was made. In response to his latest request, we contacted the Saline County District Court and confirmed that Mr. Dannebohm’s case was indeed closed. That original story of his arrest remains in our archives as a matter of record. However, the online version includes an update to note the case was dismissed.

It isn’t unusual for individuals to complain if their names appear in “On the Record” that they are innocent. We presume they are and yet we don’t usually learn more about the case unless they are convicted or are acquitted in a jury trial.

Dannebohm has written articles about his experience on his blog (dannebohm.com):

“The widespread use of social media has led to a trend wherein law enforcement agencies post mugshots of those booked into custody. The comment threads are often not only degrading, they’re frankly defamatory. This practice completely negates the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. I speak from experience. Some years ago, my mugshot was broadcasted for the purpose of widespread public humiliation. However, the case against me was dismissed and I was not even required to enter a plea. Naturally that part of the story was never reported. Nobody provided me with ‘a second chance’ to refute a false accusation.

“The humiliation caused me psychological trauma and sent my state of mental health to a very dark place. For me, a dangerous combination of pride and humiliation almost became fatal. As a result of harsh comments from the court of public opinion, I found myself with no motivation for self-growth. Nothing about the public shaming encouraged me to bounce back from the experience. Now just imagine how somebody who struggles with an addiction, or a mental illness must feel when they are shamelessly shackled and paraded about the town square for the purpose of ruthless public ridicule. How anybody of good sense believes this spectacle aids in the rehabilitation of somebody escapes logic.

“It was purely by the grace of Almighty God that I strived toward brighter, fuller days.”

Today, Dannebohm lives in Richmond, Virginia and commutes part of the week to Washington, DC. Recently, he says, he was tasked with investigating extremism, particularly Christian nationalism. What happened to him five years ago is considered “old news” but anyone who has been wrongly accused can empathize with his desire to set the record straight. It shouldn’t have taken this long on our part. The Great Bend Tribune is grateful for him making the effort to provide case files that confirmed his report that the case was closed. It is always our intention to report the news, including following up.