Cops & Crime

Hundreds of victims of the Robert Courtney drug-tampering scheme and their family members watched as the former pharmacist was sentenced to 30 years on Thursday. The sentence drew mixed responses from those watching the proceedings.

Robert Courtney, the former Kansas City pharmacist who has admitted to diluting prescriptions given to thousands of patients, faced sentencing on Thursday.

Under a plea agreement, U.S. District Judge Ortri Smith can give Courtney from 17 1/2 to 30 years in prison.

Hundreds of victims and family members are expected at the courthouse. Among them will be Marge Vermillion, whose husband died soon after taking cancer treatments mixed at Courtney's pharmacy. 

So many people go to the Municipal Corrections Institution because they couldn't post bond that some call it the "debtors' prison."

Young traffic offenders are incarcerated alongside convicted felons. Following staff cuts MCI became so overcrowded that 16 convicted violent offenders had to be released in August.

The City Auditor says a city shouldn't be in the prison business at all.

KCUR's Steve Bell visited the jail and talked with various city officials who have a stake in what will become of the facility.