Fredrick Scott convicted of four murders in Indian Creek Trail killings, Kansas City
A Kansas City jury found Fredrick Scott guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in the Indian Creek Trail killings. Jurors also recommended life in prison without parole.
Jury convicts Fredrick Scott on four counts in Kansas City trail killings
A Kansas City jury has found Fredrick Scott guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, kctv5.com reports. Hours after delivering the verdict on Tuesday morning, the same jury recommended that Scott spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.
Scott had been accused of killing six people between August 2016 and August 2017 in what prosecutors called the Indian Creek Trail killings — a case named after the trail near which four of the six victims were found. He was acquitted of murder and armed criminal action in the deaths of David Lenox and Timothy Rice.
The trial, held at the Jackson County Courthouse, lasted 12 days — shorter than the three weeks initially anticipated. The prosecution called more than 70 witnesses; the defence called none.
Scott will face formal sentencing at a hearing scheduled for November.
"The families of these victims waited nine years to see justice served today," said Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. "This case was complex, with six victims, dozens of witnesses, and hundreds of exhibits. The people who worked on this case did so across nearly a decade and they never stopped fighting for the families."
Johnson extended condolences to the families of all six victims and praised detectives for their work over the past nine years.
Families of victims John Palmer and Michael Darby took the stand on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the jury's sentencing deliberations. Cathy Palmer, John Palmer's widow, described him as a loving man whose death left her feeling as though she had been torn in two.
"It felt like I was torn in half," she said.
Her daughter Cathryn Palmer said John took her in as his own child and was always patient with her. His granddaughter Lili, who was nine years old when he died, said she remembers the small things he did for her.
Bob Darby, brother of victim Michael Darby, spoke of Michael's commitment to his community and the affection shown to him by customers at his restaurant, Coach's Bar and Grill.
"Kansas City is a lot better of a place to be because Mike Darby was here," Bob Darby told the court.
Michael's daughter, Alison Boddicker, said losing her father had been devastating — particularly for nine grandchildren who were very young at the time of his death.
"This has changed everything about my life," Boddicker said.
Families of victims were visibly emotional as they left the courthouse, embracing one another after the verdict was read.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)