Kansas City Council designates June 7 to honor wrongfully incarcerated Kevin Strickland

Kevin Strickland spent most of his birthdays in jail for murders he didn’t commit. On Thursday, Mayor Quinton Lucas proclaimed his birthday, June 7, as Kevin Strickland Day in Kansas Metropolis.

Lucas introduced the decision to the Metropolis Council, saying how touched all of them have been by Strickland’s story.

“I’m not any individual who runs the state of Missouri, none of us in right here do, however I wish to just remember to know, from our heartfelt appreciations, we are saying thanks to your combat. We apologize for all the pieces that you just went by means of within the title of our metropolis, our county, and our state,” Lucas mentioned.

“We hope just some acknowledgements, like this one and so many others, let you understand how a lot we care about you, how a lot forgiveness we have now in our hearts, and greater than something, how a lot we thanks for the impression you are having on so many extra now.”

Strickland was charged with capital homicide in 1978 for the killing of Sherrie Black, John Walker and Larry Ingram in Kansas Metropolis. He was 18 when he was sentenced to life in jail with out the potential for parole for 50 years by an all-white jury. Strickland’s incarceration was the longest wrongful imprisonment in Missouri historical past and one of many longest within the nation.

The 1978 conviction rested on the testimony of Cynthia Douglas, who was shot within the leg. Douglas recognized two of the suspects, Vincent Bell and Kilm Adkins, who later pleaded responsible. She later testified in opposition to Strickland.

Douglas recanted her testimony in opposition to Strickland in 2009 and maintained she was pressured into naming Strickland, whom she knew, as one of many assailants. Adkins and Bell additionally asserted his innocence, naming another person as their confederate.

Utilizing a state public security invoice signed into regulation in 2021 that permits prosecuting attorneys to file innocence motions, Jackson County Prosecuting Legal professional Jean Peters Baker moved for Strickland’s launch. Gov. Mike Parson and Legal professional Basic Eric Schmitt opposed the transfer and fought it strenuously in courtroom.

After a three-day listening to, Strickland was exonerated and launched from jail on Nov. 23, 2021.

Strickland mentioned he was honored by the town’s proclamation however wished it was for one thing apart from his wrongful conviction. He urged individuals to deal with holding the state accountable for his wrongful incarceration and for these of so many others.

“I’d simply fairly that if we might think about naming it one thing like Acutely aware Consciousness Day of All Wrongful Convictions, as a result of earlier than me there have been many others,” Strickland mentioned. “Let’s do one thing shifting ahead to make the state pay and settle for the duty apart from the mayor extending his condolences the way in which he is doing.”

Strickland was not compensated by Missouri, which solely compensates prisoners exonerated by means of DNA proof. However he mentioned he was hopeful that days like this have been proof issues have been altering.

“It implies that individuals at the moment are paying consideration, that we do have an issue. I imply, 43 [years] is much too lengthy,” Strickland mentioned. “It means loads that they wish to honor me and prolong their condolences like that, however, you understand, nothing can ever settle me.”