Missouri Governor Commutes Sentence of Ex-KC Officer Convicted in Fatal Shooting

Gov. Mike Parson's decision to grant clemency to Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City officer convicted of killing a Black man, has drawn sharp criticism from activists and officials.

Eric DeValkenaere, convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the 2019 shooting of Cameron Lamb, was placed on parole after Gov. Parson commuted his six-year prison sentence.
The shooting occurred as Lamb, a Black man, was backing his truck into his garage, with prosecutors alleging the crime scene was staged to justify the shooting.
The clemency decision has been widely criticized by activists, Lamb's family, and officials, who warn it undermines trust in law enforcement and the justice system.
Kansas City operates under a state-controlled police system, complicating local efforts to hold officers accountable and further straining community-police relations.
DeValkenaere still faces a federal civil lawsuit from Lamb's family, which alleges excessive force and a violation of Lamb’s Fourth Amendment rights.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Kansas City Star