A former Kansas City police officer convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2019 killing of a Black man has been released from prison after Missouri Governor Mike Parson commuted his sentence to parole.
The decision has sparked widespread debate, with critics calling it a blow to racial justice and supporters defending the officer’s actions... Continue reading here ▶
The Case That Divided a Community
Eric DeValkenaere, a White former officer, was convicted in 2021 for the shooting of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb, who was killed in his own backyard as he backed his car into his garage.
The incident fueled protests in Kansas City during the racial justice demonstrations of 2020, with Lamb’s name becoming a rallying cry.
At trial, DeValkenaere claimed he fired to protect his partner, saying Lamb pointed a gun at another officer. Prosecutors, however, argued that the officers unlawfully entered Lamb’s property without a warrant and staged the scene to suggest Lamb was armed.
The judge ruled that the officers had escalated a situation that was otherwise calm and noted the absence of a warrant or consent for their presence.
DeValkenaere was sentenced to six years in prison, but on Friday, he was released after serving just a few months, following Parson’s clemency decision.
A Divisive Decision
Governor Parson commuted DeValkenaere’s sentence to parole, rather than issuing a full pardon, meaning the former officer will face restrictions like a ban on firearm possession. The decision was met with outrage from racial justice advocates.
“This decision is a flagrant endorsement of systemic racism and a betrayal of justice,” said Gwendolyn Grant, president of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. “By freeing a convicted officer who unlawfully killed a young Black man, the governor has made it clear that Black lives do not matter in Missouri under his leadership.”
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who oversaw the case, also condemned the move, stating, “DeValkenaere was convicted for killing an unarmed man. He was shown incredible mercy by the governor. No such mercy was shown to the victims.”
Supporters Rally Behind DeValkenaere
DeValkenaere’s supporters, including his wife Sarah, have long maintained his innocence. “He dedicated his life to serving our city and is now in prison for doing his job,” Sarah wrote on social media before his release.
Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, praised the clemency decision, saying DeValkenaere’s record of service deserved recognition. “We will continue to fight to completely clear his name,” Johnson said.
A Governor’s Legacy
Parson’s clemency decision comes as he nears the end of his term, during which he has granted more pardons and commutations than any Missouri governor since the 1940s. While most clemency cases have involved lower-level crimes like drug offenses, this high-profile decision has drawn significant attention.
Parson did not offer a detailed explanation for his decision but hinted at his unease with DeValkenaere’s incarceration during an earlier interview. “I don’t like where he’s at,” he said in August.
Another High-Profile Clemency
DeValkenaere was not the only controversial release announced Friday. Parson also commuted the sentence of Patty Prewitt, a 75-year-old woman who spent 40 years in prison for the 1984 killing of her husband. Prewitt had long maintained her innocence, claiming an intruder committed the murder. Advocates argued her trial was flawed, with evidence of infidelity unfairly used against her and key witness testimony withheld.
Outrage and Calls for Change
While DeValkenaere’s release was celebrated by his supporters, it has deepened divisions in Missouri. Critics argue that it undermines accountability for law enforcement and perpetuates systemic inequities.
“This clemency decision tarnishes the governor’s legacy,” said Grant. “It will fuel deeper divisions and ignite justified outrage.”
Source: CNN