Reactions To Police Shooting Verdict Disappoint Kansas City Voters

Official statements following a HISTORIC guilty verdict of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action against a Kansas City police detective don't seem to have inspired much confidence from Kansas City voters.

In fact, from what we've seen and heard via social media and from insiders, decidedly anti-police sentiments from local politicos over the past year have been solidified in the mind of the public given their recent equivocating.

Here's a quick overview . . .

First and foremost, there's a bit of surprise about the ruling from Judge J. Dale Youngs . . .

Here's the word from insiders . . . 

"Look at his ruling. He's not citing precedent and his opinion about the property line and the need for a search warrant actually runs contrary to Missouri law. It's shocking because he has been a competent judge overall. However, this verdict deserves a lot of scrutiny . . ."

TKC preview . . . Local legal eagles are also scratching their heads about the decision and we're not likely to seen the end of questions any time soon. 

On the political side of things . . . 

Here's a glimpse at post-verdict comment from Mayor Q . . .

“It was a tragic situation. My heart goes out to all families impacted. We have a situation where lives of two families are irrevocably changed. I continue extend my condolences to the family of Cameron Lamb, I continue to pray for his family, pray for the family of Detective DeValkenaere and certainly we will continue our work as Kansas City government to make sure we ensure we have a community where everyone feels safe, everyone feels respected and where everyone can believe in justice,” Mayor Quinton Lucas.

That's very politic. It might even make for a great Hallmark card but it's not helping his image. 

The evenhanded sentiment betrays Mayor Q marching in the street last year yelling "No Justice, No Peace" with anti-police protesters.

Finally, we take a peak the response from Jackson County Prosecutor "Mean Jean" Peters Baker. 

Again, it's heartfelt, a bit weepy and mostly unapologetic given the antagonistic relationship she has with law enforcement . . . 

Here's what we know for sure . . .

- Political power players close to police organizers say that they'll empty their campaign fund against "Mean Jean" if she ever decides to seek political office again. 

- Locals can anticipate icy relations betwixt police & the prosecutor's office to continue . . . 

- The pro-police reaction against Mayor & Mean Jean is so strong that it threatens to impact down ballot legislators & council members who have aligned themselves with the progressive pair. 

Translation . . .

EXPECT KANSAS CITY VOTER PUSH BACK IN THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE IF PRO-POLICE ORGANIZERS CAN MOVE PAST UNPRODUCTIVE RECALLS AND RALLY COMMUNITY SUPPORT!!! 

This isn't a given. 

It's much easier and far less expensive to rant via social media, garner a few provocative headlines and then complain and pout. 

However . . . 

As we've seen from the latest census . . .

The demographics of Kansas City continue to evolve. 

A new wave of voters have migrated to downtown. The Northland continues to diversify and gain economic clout. Votes like the MLK Blvd rebuke & The Jackson County statue push back reveal that the Kansas City area electorate isn't REALLY as progressive as some pundits mistakenly believe . . . 

Moreover . . .

The old school neighborhood political action committee is thing of the past and time might have even caught up with so many local Facebook protest groups that provide more entertainment than election influence. 

In the final analysis . . . 

It's not unfair to notice voter discontent with rising violence and elected officials who spend most of their time fighting with police. 

Moreover, new candidates who notice this trend might meet with unexpected support as the denizens of Kansas City seem discontent with the status quo.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Local leaders, community reacts after Kansas City detective found guilty in shooting death of Cameron Lamb

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City elected officials, community leaders and organizations are reacting to the verdict in the trial of KCPD detective Eric Devalkenaere. Friday afternoon a Jackson County judge found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Cameron Lamb outside of his home in 2019.

Community activists react to guilty verdict for KCPD detective

A guilty verdict was announced Friday in the trial of a Kansas City police detective, Eric J. DeValkenaere, who shot and killed Cameron Lamb in December 2019"I think my instant reaction was surprised," said Lora McDonald, executive director of More2, a social justice organization.

Kansas City Police Officer Found Guilty of Manslaughter in 2019 Killing of Black Man

A judge found a white Kansas City Police officer guilty with the 2019 killing of a Black man on his own property. Officer Eric DeValkenaere was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, who was 26-years-old at the time. Justice is served.

Developing . . .