Cops & Crime

By Sylvia Maria Gross

Kansas City, MO – When last year's homicide rate rose dramatically, from 91 killings in 2004 to 127 in 2005, the Kansas City, Missouri City Council convened a committee to examine a wide range of data and programs related to violent crime in the city. Meanwhile, the homicide rate is back down this year, there have been 42 murders this year, as of Friday. The commission made recommendations to the City Council on June 29, and submitted a final report. To discuss its findings, mayor pro tem and city councilman Alvin Brooks joins us now.

By Delores Jones

Kansas City, MO – At least 156 people have died while in police custody in the United States following the use of a Taser, according to The Kansas City Star. Tasers or stun guns are used by law enforcement to tranquilize a suspect by shocking the nervous system. Last Saturday, Kansas City Missouri police used a stun gun to subdue a man who later died in a police holding cell. Witnesses say that 32-year-old Karl Marshall of Overland Park, Kansas was high on PCP and cocaine when police tried arresting him.

By Delores Jones

Kansas City, MO – In 2002, 29 year old Eric O'Brien murdered Tim Smotherland. The two men had been involved in a relationship for four years. When Smotherland decided he wanted to end the relationship, O'Brien shot him, and then killed himself.

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.