Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Shootout

A trial for a man accused of robbing a bank and exchanging gunfire with a Kansas State Trooper while fleeing with a woman and three children begins in Salina.

31-year-old Jason Gleason is facing charges that include attempted first-degree murder.

Gleason was spotted in a sport utility vehicle with his girlfriend, Chrystal Bell, and her children several hours after an October 9th bank robbery in Rice County. Following a chase that ended in southeast Saline County near Gypsum, multiple shots were fired.

According to testimony in a preliminary hearing, a bullet Gleason fired struck Bell’s 12-year-old son in the mouth and lodged in Bell’s abdomen.

A jury was selected on Monday, and the first full day of testimony is anticipated for Tuesday.