McCloud’s first robbery took place in the fall of 1990 at a Dairy Queen in Johnson County. How can you find out if you're getting equal pay? Subscribe today. The vehicle continues to back out and Officer Jenison, standing from the side, fires two shots. This is placeholder text. He said he is a proponent of requiring masks until outbreaks of COVID-19 and rising cases are under control. Will it be a happy ending for Innuendo Bingo? Current Page: Issues News Media Contact Us Take Action Open Menu Close Menu. In a statement quoted by the Kansas City Star on Thursday, Ms Albers said: "The FBI investigation highlights the failure of Overland Park and District Attorney Steve Howe to be transparent in their investigations and be accountable to their constituents. The Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that the judge in 2018 did not have jurisdiction to resentence McCloud. More than half the states and the federal government grant clemency more frequently than Kansas, the project found. The van reverses wildly in a sharp circle back towards the officer, before slowing almost to a stop. The boy's mother, Sheila Albers, sued Overland Park for violating her son's constitutional rights, and the city last year settled the wrongful death lawsuit for $2.3m. Howe said clemency is the proper legal mechanism to address McCloud’s concerns. “What happened to me is wrong,” Pete Coones said. “We can say that there’s no real public safety risk of having Michael out of custody,” Stolte said. Since McCloud was incarcerated, Kansas has reduced its prison sentences for the crimes he was convicted of. Howe has been a prosecutor for more than 31 years and has run the district attorney’s office since 2009. The liquor-by-the-drink rule is one of the last vestiges of the strict alcohol regulations dating back to the 1880s, when Kansas became the first state in the country to write prohibition into its constitution. FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton said in a statement on Thursday that they would "collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough and impartial manner". This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The outcome of the county commission race will help determine how the county — which recorded its highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases on Friday — approaches the pandemic. The board has grown increasingly divided over coronavirus mandates, resulting in closely split votes and threats of lawsuits. On the day he died, John told his parents he did not want to join them for dinner. Clemency is rarely granted in Kansas, according to the Restoration of Rights Project, an organization that analyzes post-conviction practices. Thomas was leading by more than 8,700 votes. What makes McCloud’s case unique, Stolte said, is that he has been free for more than two years. Defiant Hong Kong opposition condemned by China, The Russian provinces buckling under Covid-19. He walked out of the Johnson County detention center on Feb. 16, 2018, and moved to Wichita to live with his girlfriend. Last month, the ACLU of Kansas filed a clemency request on McCloud’s behalf, which at this point is his only chance at freedom. About Issues News Contact Us Take Action. About Current Page: Issues News Media Contact Us Take Action ... Steve Tew District Attorney. Will old liquor law go? Sean Reilly, a spokesman for the city of Overland Park, said they would "fully co-operate" with the FBI inquiry. In the 2nd District in northern Johnson County, former Shawnee mayor Jeff Meyers received 53% of votes, so far beating opponent Rob Patterson, who had 33.8%. Four of Johnson County’s seven commissioners rebuked him, saying his post incited violence. “Look at this story and you can make a call for yourself whether that’s who you want to be representing you,” she said. Learn more about subscriptions here. Police had been called to check on the boy, who had ADHD, after his online posts prompted fears for his safety. She campaigned on the need to curb the use of tax incentives for private development. He would be 88 years old. He was sentenced to 15 years on each count, to run consecutively, for a total of 180 years. Voters also are deciding whether to repeal the county’s liquor-by-the-drink law, which requires businesses serving alcohol to make 30% of sales from food. In rare JoCo DA contest, Howe touts experience. He also came under fire for a Facebook post where he warned of a violent uprising, then told his constituents to “buy a firearm” and prepare for a “coming war.”. Police dashcam video shows John reversing the family's van slowly out of the garage and down the driveway as officers arrive at the property in the city of Overland Park. “I have built a new, peaceful life for myself here as a productive member of the community.”. After McCloud was freed, Howe appealed the case. He said his rights were violated because he was not present at two sentencing hearings. Obringer-Varhall, 47, is serving her second term on the Blue Valley school board. O’Hara, 69, is a construction and development professional who served one term in the Kansas House. Regardless of who wins, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners will gain at least two new members, as two incumbents step down. Howe ran against former Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline in 2008, winning the Republican primary by a nearly 20-point margin. Stolte said McCloud’s case is particularly relevant during an election year when criminal justice reform and fiscal concerns are being discussed. No matter what, the seven-member board, which is nonpartisan, will gain at least a third female member. Polls closed at 7 p.m., but official results will not be reported until after the canvass next week. He is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States District Court Eastern District of Kentucky and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also ran for Overland Park mayor a few years ago, but lost to incumbent Carl Gerlach. Nov. 4—With Johnson County reporting only early and mail-in ballot results before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, two incumbents — District Attorney Steve Howe … Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. If his clemency petition fails, he will have to serve at least 21 years before being eligible for parole. Early results showed nearly 75% of voters had supported repealing the law so far. They argue that they lose money because the law requires businesses that serve alcohol to generate a certain amount of their sales from food. But Howe has challenged Thomas for his lack of prosecutorial experience. Since Michael McCloud, 67, was released in 2018, he has enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: fishing, going on country drives and walking his dog, a plump Yorkie-terrier mix named Suzie Q. McCloud spent 27 years in a Kansas prison for a string of armed robberies he committed in the early 90s. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Tropical Storm Eta, Masters tees off, Diwali: 5 things to know Thursday, SpaceX Crew-1 launch: How to watch NASA mission to the ISS live. Criminal defense attorney Zach Thomas announced his candidacy in May. “Every now and then, you’re given the opportunity to make the right call and how you act in those moments is, I think, how your legacy is defined.”. McCloud now faces resentencing in Johnson County District Court — and another 21 years in prison. He threatened to kill one of the people in the shop. Apart from two speeding tickets, he hasn’t been in trouble. “It was overwhelming,” McCloud said recalling the judge’s decision. 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Video, The Russian provinces buckling under Covid-19, Diwali with a difference under Covid-19. None of the 23 courtrooms are fully ADA compliant. In perhaps the county’s most high-profile race, Howe, a Republican, is facing a challenger for the first time in 12 years: Democrat Zach Thomas, a criminal defense attorney who would be the first person of color to lead the office. .css-gw44ni-IconContainer{display:inline-block;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}playThe Russian provinces buckling under Covid-19. But Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe appealed the ruling, contending the judge did not have authority to modify the sentence. After McCloud was freed, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe appealed the case and the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled that the judge in … ABOUT. PREVIOUS POST. With Johnson County reporting only early and mail-in ballot results before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, two incumbents — District Attorney Steve Howe and County Commissioner Mike Brown — were trailing behind their challengers in key races. Subscriber log in. Kline fired Howe and six other prosecutors when he took office in January 2007. He had had few visitors in prison — his mom died 22 years ago while he was incarcerated — but now he had something to look forward to.