County exec to lawmakers: Peace my brethren

From ye olde Jackson County:

(Kansas City, Missouri) – The County Executive issued the following statement today regarding the incident following yesterday’s meeting of the County Legislature:
“I believe the best way for all elected officials to proceed in this matter would be to participate in an orderly conflict resolution or mediation process, and I have offered to assist the members of the County Legislature in beginning such a process. Conflict resolution is a proven, valuable and positive process that is commonly used in all walks of life – from the corporate world, to non-profits, and in government. Legislators seem to be open to the idea, and we are having continued discussions about it. I remain hopeful.
Disagreements play an important role in any healthy democracy. All elected officials must find a way to serve the taxpayers interest by vigorously debating issues and policies, but always in a professional manner – to disagree without being disagreeable.”

Thank goodness.

P.S. Here's a picture of county legislator Robert Stringfield, who hasn't been charged with anything and is innocent until proven guilty. Thank you.

   

More St. Louis area police drama

At least it wasn't a Taser...

• ST. LOUIS (AP) — Black activists on Tuesday called for the firing of police officers who were shown on live television swinging night sticks and punching and kicking a suspect after a car chase.
• The Missouri State Highway Patrol was investigating to see if the four officers involved had acted illegally.
• The suspect, Edmon Burns, 33, of St. Louis County, was treated at a hospital and released, and was jailed.
• Story

$500,000 in Bloody Mary mix?

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A former top-ranking executive at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pleaded guilty to fraud and tax charges Tuesday, admitting that he stole money, gift cards and merchandise from the world’s largest retailer.
...embezzled money from the company and used expense vouchers to buy products as varied as snakeskin boots, hunting trips and Bloody Mary mix. They estimated losses at up to $500,000.
Story

Lawyer: Sonia incompetent for trial

Sonia Galindo isn't competent to stand trial in the murder of Alexander Gladkov, her attorney says a  mental health expert has determined.
Hearing Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court. Still nothing on Casenet, though.

AP story today
Metropolitan Digest item this morning

Previously in this blog:
Sonia: The discussion

Deadliest workplace shooting by a woman?

A criminologist says this may be the highest workplace shooting toll by a woman:
GOLETA, Calif. (AP) — A female ex-postal worker opened fire at a mail processing plant, killing five people and critically wounding another before committing suicide...AP story

Overland Park daily offenses

Daily report from Overland Park police.

Offenses Jan. 30, 2006: XLS PDF

Data also available at www.opkansas.org

Also see:
Interactive map of Overland Park crime data by local programmer Brett Rickman
Crime mapping by Overland Park police
Past Overland Park crime reports in this blog

Daily report from Overland Park police.

Offenses Jan. 30, 2006: XLS PDF

Data also available at www.opkansas.org

Also see:
Interactive map of Overland Park crime data by local programmer Brett Rickman
Crime mapping by Overland Park police
Past Overland Park crime reports in this blog

Leawood police activity

Daily report from Leawood police.

Jan. 30, 2006 6:53 a.m. to 9:26 a.m. today: PDF

2 more sentenced in drug witness plot

From the office of U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren:

• The getaway driver and a crack customer of the main figure in a plot to kill a federal drug witness have been sentenced to seven years in prison each.
• News release

All The Star's crime stories today

This blog is meant to be your one-stop resource for crime-related news from The Star. Today's links:

Courthouse smackdown VIDEO
Felony DWIs, pot charge stem from Yuletide stops
Deadline set on ruling for execution
Guilty plea in Internet child sex case
 Plane from Olathe crashes in Illinois, killing four
Kansas bills would make animal abusers felons
Father says man who died was denied treatment
Man, 60, charged in molesting of girl, 8
Metropolitan Digest
 Murder conspirator turned down for parole
Prosecutors charge teen basketball fans with throwing urine
Motorist dies from injuries 3rd Infantry soldier gets 20 years in colleague's slaying

 

Jackson County legislator arrested

From the Jackson County sheriff's office 4:15 p.m.:

• On 01-30-06 at approximately 3:00 p.m., deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested one of the Jackson County Legislators at the Downtown Courthouse.  The courthouse, located at 415 E. 12th Street, is located at the corner of 12th Street and Locust in Kansas City, MO.
• According to the police report, immediately following the legislative meeting, a disturbance erupted in the assembly area involving at least two Jackson County Legislators.  One Legislator, a male from Kansas City, reportedly approached the victim and reportedly struck him several times.  The victim, identified as Dan Tarwater, was not injured in the assault.
• Deputies were present and immediately took the suspect into custody.  He is currently being held at the Kansas City Courthouse pending formal charges for Assault 3rd.  Once charged, he is expected to post an ROR bond from there.

Further I knoweth not. Updates promised.