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The judge found Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenere guilty of involuntary manslaughter; KCPD says DeValkenaere suspended

November 20, 2021
Henry Club

Kansas City, MO (KCTV) — Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenere was arrested by Jackson County Judge J. Cameron Lamb has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by Dale Youngs.

Lamb was shot dead in December 2019 when he drove a truck to the garage of his home where he lived.

Jackson County Judge J. The Dale Youngs have found Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenere guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting murder of Cameron Lamb.



Judge Youngs said he reached a guilty verdict because Devalkenare and his accomplices were the initial attackers and were not acting in self-defense while chasing Lamb over private property.

Youngs said he is not allowed to stay on the property, does not have a warrant and is not making arrests.

He said that he did not have the necessary conditions because the lamb’s chase was over.

“When defendant pursued Sergeant Schwalm in the backyard of 4154 College and, involving Cameron Lamb, eventually shot and killed him, he did so without consideration or awareness of the substantial and unreasonable risks associated with this conduct, including but not limited to the fact that Sergeant Schwalm and he were on property illegally, that they were both exacerbating a situation that had previously worsened and that their actions created or exacerbated the risk ,” Youngs said.

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Lamb’s family was emotional after the verdict:

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said his team worked diligently on the case.

“There’s a sadness that comes with all decisions,” she said. “We all leave the courthouse… miss someone around the dining room table. There’s another person who faces punishment for harm.”

Jackson County Judge J. The Dale Youngs have found Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenere guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting murder of Cameron Lamb.



“Today was not a day to celebrate” but instead, remember Lamb, said Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.

“By convicting Officer Devalkenair, Kansas City is sending a signal to all police that the days of killing black people are over, they will be held accountable,” he said. integrity. We deeply appreciate that justice has been served by the court’s decision, but today is not a day to celebrate. Rather, it is time to remember Cameron Lamb and all those killed in police violence. It is time to rededicate ourselves to building a community of faith that keeps all Americans safe.”

The Kansas City Police Department issued this response:

Every officer involved in the shooting is difficult not only for the members of the community but also for the members of the police department. We accept the court’s decision.

Following the verdict, Devalkanre has been suspended without pay termination, police said in a statement.

testimony during trial

During the trial, the defense argued that DeValkenaere should not be found guilty because officers had reasonable suspicion and a duty to investigate Lamb as he pursued another vehicle driven by a female Lamb at 60–90 mph. was doing.

Defense attorney Don Parsons said Devalkenare was doing his job. He said a vehicle going 60 to 90 mph, weaving in the other lane of traffic and running a red light was as dangerous as a bullet.

Prosecutors argued that the officers did not have evidence of a crime, warrant or permission to be on private property. He also said Lamb had limited use of his left hand due to an injury in 2015 and later suggested that guns and ammunition may have been fitted during the entire trial.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr David Clymer said Lamb may have used his left hand. Clymer said he reviewed medical records and viewed social media videos posted of Lamb.

Emotional testimony was given by both prosecution and defense witnesses in the trial. DeValkenaere took the stand in his defence, while Lamb’s mother took the stand.

DeValkenaere said he saw Lamb pulling out a gun and pointed it at Kansas City Police Sgt. Troy Schwalm, his partner. He said that he would not have shot the lamb if the lamb had pointed a gun at his mantle.

Lamb’s mother took the stand and displayed pictures of her son. The pictures included Lamb with his children.

In the motion of the acquittal verdict, the defense stated that the state had “failed to prove the elements of the alleged offense in the indictment” and “failed to establish by evidence what the requirements of the submission to a jury in a criminal case”. The defendant committed the alleged offense with the requisite mental state.”

In response to that motion, the state argued that Devalkenare had “not declared himself as a policeman” and subsequently fired his gun at Lamb four times. They also argue that cell phone records indicate Lamb was on the phone with one hand and showing Schwalm with the other.

The matter received national attention

The matter was cited in a petition by a group of civil rights organizations urging US Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the Kansas City Police Department.

This was a case that was frequently cited at demonstrations in Kansas City.

Lamb’s family also met with former President Donald Trump at the White House in 2020.

The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, which helps support the legal defense of police officers, the organization believes have been wrongfully accused, came to DeValkenaere’s aid.

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