Missouri Governor On Wednesday, Mike Parson stated that he was not convinced Kevin Strickland was innocent. This makes him the first official in public to question prosecutors' assertions that Strickland was wrongly convicted in Kansas City four decades ago.Parson spoke with 41 Action News and stated that he doesn't know if Strickland (62), is innocent of the 1978 triple murder in Kansas City, which the Jackson County Prosecutors Office has now declared he didn't commit."I am not convinced I would put other people at danger if you are not right," the Republican governor and ex-Polk County sheriff said to the television station. He also stated that nobody has been found innocent in this court of law.Parsons' comments were made more than 40 days after Jean Peters Baker, Jackson County Prosecutor, announced that her office concluded that Strickland (18 at the time of his arrest) was factually innocent of the shooting at 6934 S. Benton Ave. on April 25, 1978.They also arrived weeks after 13 state legislators, including the Republican chairperson of the Missouri House committee responsible for the prison system, called upon Parson to pardon Strickland.Federal prosecutors in Missouri and Jackson Countys, Quinton Lucas, the Kansas City Mayor, and other officials, agreed that Strickland should be exonerated on May 10.Parson stated to KSHB-TV that he had looked at Stricklands' case many times but didn't specify the evidence that made him doubt Stricklands' innocence. Parson noted that he would likely sign legislation giving local prosecutors the power of asking judges to exonerate prisoners deemed innocent.Kelli Jones, Parsons spokeswoman said that the governor and his team continue to review Stricklands' case. Parson believes that we should give great respect to the judicial process, and a jury's finding of guilt.Mr. Mr.Continue the storyThe Midwest Innocence Project, representing Strickland, posted a tweet Thursday saying it was happy to meet with Parson and review the evidence.The Star reported in September that two men who had pleaded guilty to the murders for decades claimed Strickland wasn't with them or two others during the shooting. In 2019, a third suspect, never charged, told investigators that he believed there could not be a more innocent person than Strickland.Her relatives stated that the lone eyewitness, who also retracted, wanted Strickland to be freed.Baker: Were going to fightIn the last month, there have been more calls for Parson's pardon to Strickland. He requested a full pardon to ensure that his innocence is finally recognized.The Washington Post Editorial Board was one of the groups and people calling for a pardon. It wrote Sunday that Parson should end injustice and pardon Strickland, Lamar Johnson and Lamar Johnson. St. Louis prosecutors claim Johnson is innocent in the 1994 murder.Mr. That editorial board stated that Johnson and Strickland shouldn't have to wait any longer for their freedom.Last week, Jackson County's prosecutor stated that Strickland is still in Cameron prison. Baker also pointed out that the majority of the 36 Parson pardoned prisoners were already free.Mr. Baker said that Strickland is in the right category for someone who deserves that type of government action by our governor. Maddow added that it could not happen.Baker stated that she would file a motion asking the Jackson County judge to exonerate Strickland if Parson signs his bill.Baker said to Maddow that we were going to fight for him.Baker told The Star previously that her staff had assured the governor's office that they thoroughly reviewed Stricklands' case before deciding that he was wrongly convicted. This review also included the presentation of the case to 20 senior prosecutors.Strickland might also be released through a third avenue.After the Missouri Supreme Court refused to hear his case, his attorneys filed a petition asking for his release in DeKalb County. On Wednesday, Judge Ryan Horsman requested a scheduling conference to be held in the case. The conference was scheduled from August 9 through July 12.Stricklands' attorneys will likely argue that he should be released during an evidentiary hearing.
