Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Tuesday made public a letter urging Missouri Gov. Mike Parson not to pardon a former Kansas City police detective who was convicted of killing a Black man.
The letter, addressed to Parson and dated June 13, says Baker has learned of reports that Parson is considering pardoning Eric DeValkenaere, who was convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb.
DeValkenaere’s conviction marked the first time a Kansas City police officer was found guilty in the killing of a Black man. DeValkenaere was sentenced in March of last year to six years in prison. He has remained free on bond since then as he appeals the verdict.