For Immediate Release: June 14, 2023

Contact: Brian Farmer, 573-751-3158

Senator Barbara Anne Washington Urges State Leaders to Uphold Manslaughter Conviction

Jefferson City — State Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, D-Kansas City, issued the following statement about the governor potentially pardoning a person convicted of manslaughter for the killing of a Black man in 2019:

“In 2019, a Black man sitting in a car in the driveway of a private residence was shot and killed by a police officer. The case went to trial and the officer was convicted of manslaughter. I believe it is inappropriate and unprecedented for the governor to intervene with a pardon while the appellate process is ongoing.

I believe that pardoning a former officer convicted of manslaughter under these circumstances would send a message that Black people’s lives do not matter, that the system is unfair and that police officers are above the law. A pardon would likely further erode the relationship between the Kansas City Police Department and the city’s Eastside residents. Without trust between a community and its police force, there is less cooperation on shared goals of solving violent crimes and improving public safety. A fractured relationship would be detrimental for residents and businesses alike.

The best way to achieve justice and ensure police accountability is to allow the appellate process to proceed openly in a court of law. If the attorney general is unable or unwilling to do his job, he can appoint another attorney to handle this case instead of depending on the governor. I remain optimistic we can continue bettering our police-community relations and hope the governor does not impede our progress or move our community in the wrong direction by pardoning this convicted officer.”

For more information about Sen. Washington, visit her Senate website.