Crime and Justice
9/11 Pain Continues as Justice System Plods Along
Every email I get from Danielle Reddan, director of the Victim Witness Assistance Program in the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of Military Commissions, starts the same way: “Dear Survivors & Families.” More than two decades after the murder of my nephew, a passenger on the first plane that Osama bin Laden’s misguided theological thugs…
Kansas City Establishes New Court in Undaunting Setting
Kansas City is taking court “straight to the people” with a new Community Court that convenes at a multipurpose center in the urban core, not the downtown courthouse. The off-site location at 27th Street and Prospect Avenue is essential to the specialty court’s focus on serving people experiencing instability issues, such as homelessness, by providing…
Kansas City is voting on a sales tax to fund a new jail. Here’s what to know about Question 1
Kansas City voters will decide on April 8 whether to renew the city’s public safety sales tax, as part of its efforts to fund and build a new municipal jail. Supporters of the tax renewal say the city is long overdue for its own detention and rehabilitation center — for a decade the city has not had…
Security Guards May Have Been Involved in 1988 Explosion that Killed 6 Kansas City Firefighters
Newly released government documents involving a 1988 arson fire that killed six Kansas City firefighters affirm the guilt of five people who were convicted of the crime but also find that two other individuals may have been involved.
FBI has Investigated Kansas City, Kansas, Police for Decades, but Prosecution of Bad Cops is Rare
As a federal grand jury investigates Roger Golubski, a former Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department detective, FBI documents dating back to the 1990s reported police beat Black people routinely, were said to be involved in the drug trade and ignored the crack cocaine problem.
Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas Sought Records from Missouri Medical Marijuana Regulators
Twice last year a federal grand jury demanded the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services turn over records pertaining to the medical marijuana program.
Mind, Body and Crime in the Country
Drug addiction and untreated mental health issues are leading contributors to higher violent crime rates in rural America.
Nick’s Picks | Pandemic, Politics, Police and Pot
This week features a surge in COVID-19 cases, the last presidential debate, protests over police violence and medical marijuana sales in Missouri.
Councilwoman Asks City Manager to Explore Local Control of KC Police
Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson has introduced a resolution asking the city manager to explore local control of the Kansas City Police Department.
Missouri’s Execution of Ernest Johnson Merely Adds to Body Count
When the state of Missouri executed an intellectually disabled man on Oct. 5, it brought shame, disgrace and infamy on its citizens, in whose name it acted.