Prosecutor requests 9-year sentence for ex-cop DeValkenaere

KANSAS Metropolis, Mo. — Jackson County prosecutors have weighed in on the future sentence of a previous Kansas City detective.

In an 11-page memo, prosecutors asked Judge J. Dale Youngs to sentence previous detective Eric DeValkenaere to four decades in jail on his involuntary manslaughter conviction and 9 many years for armed prison motion. Prosecutors questioned the sentences to run concurrently.

Sentencing is scheduled for Friday.

Previous prosecutor turned defense legal professional Phil LeVota suggests the judge has discretion under sentencing suggestions. LeVota added numerous variables are taken into account.

“He has to sentence the defendant 1-4 a long time on involuntary manslaughter,” LeVota stated. “He has the skill to sentence the defendant 3 decades to regardless of what he wants on armed criminal action.”

DeValkenaere was convicted of the crimes in November in the taking pictures death of 26-yr-previous Cameron Lamb.

DeValkenaere and his partner ended up known as to Lamb’s community for a targeted visitors incident in close proximity to East 41st Road and College or university Avenue on Dec. 13, 2019. A law enforcement helicopter observed a purple pickup, believed to have been included in the incident, convert into Lamb’s garage. The two officers followed Lamb on to his assets.

All through the demo, DeValkenaere admitted to capturing Lamb, but claimed it was to shield his companion following Lamb pulled a gun and pointed it at the other officer. DeValkenaere’s spouse testified that he didn’t see a weapon in Lamb’s hand.

Youngs discovered the officers had no probable result in to consider that Lamb had fully commited a criminal offense before the shooting, and experienced no arrest warrant, search warrant or consent to be on Lamb’s residence.

“Despite being properly trained on the relevant law and remaining sworn to uphold the legislation, the Defendant disregarded the two and unreasonably and unnecessarily escalated a circumstance that had already de-escalated, and which eventually led to Mr. Lamb’s loss of life,” the prosecutor’s workplace wrote in the sentencing memo.

“This disregard and indifference to Mr. Lamb’s demise continued right after the shooting when the Defendant elected to falsely report info involving guns to legitimize his own conduct and build a additional risky predicament to justify his actions.”

Prosecutors also allege in the memo that DeValkenaere has not approved any duty for Lamb’s demise or his individual steps in creating the demise.

According to the memo, DeValkenaere has not made use of his option to submit letters to the court highlighting his life and character prior to sentencing, as quite a few other defendants have carried out.

But his defense lawyers highlighted DeValkanere is a Kansas City native, son of a police officer, and experienced gained several honors and praise for his operate. They also take note as a cop, he would be a focus on in prison. 

Underneath Missouri regulation, the conviction needs Youngs to sentence DeValenaere to at the very least a few decades in jail without eligibility for parole.

Last week Youngs granted DeValkenaere bond as he appeals his conviction. It suggests although DeValkenaere will be sentenced Friday, he will not be taken quickly to jail, as prolonged as he satisfies the conditions of his bond.

Neighborhood leaders claimed the journey to a verdict and sentencing has been a long just one, but a person thing they hope to see is justice. 

“It’s a place to start,” explained Damon Daniel, president of Advertisement Hoc Group Towards Crime. “But we have to be actually conscious of what that seems like. Whether it be the true verdict that arrives out, regardless of whether it is a sentence that is consecutive or concurrent, all of individuals issues make a difference. A everyday living has been taken. That void is endlessly.”