Two men will face charges related to the shootout that led to the killing Tuesday of Kansas City, Kansas, Police Capt. Robert David Melton.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome Gorman charged Jamaal Lewis, 20, with capital murder, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm.
DaQon Sipple, 18, was apprehended shortly before Capt. Melton was killed. He faces charges on discharging a firearm, aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, Gorman announced at a news conference Thursday.
Lewis' bail is set at $10 million; Sipple's is $100,000. Gorman says his office has not yet decided whether to pursue the death penalty or life without parole for Lewis.
"It's going to be a number of months before a preliminary hearing is set, so it'll be months before we sit down and make that decision," Gorman said.
Gorman said he plans to assign at least two experienced attorneys to the cases, similar to what he did in the killing of Det. Brad Lancaster two months ago. He says his office knew both men well.
"Capt. Melton I've known for a long time. He was in the Sheriff's Office prior to coming on the police department," Gorman said softly, "and Det. Lancaster was in the office several times a week bringing cases over, so we felt a closeness with them."
Both Lewis and Sipple make their first court appearances Friday morning. Police are not looking for any other suspects at this time.
Cody Newill is the digital editor for KCUR 89.3. Follow him on Twitter @CodyNewill.
