After man pleads guilty to Kansas City murder, prosecutor urges people to ‘wake up’
A 22-year-old Kansas City, North, man’s guilty plea to a drug-related murder earlier this year has prompted the Platte County prosecutor to urge people to “wake up” to ongoing violence.
“Kansas City is on pace for a record number of homicides, and this senseless killing is a sad reminder that violence associated with drugs is not confined to the urban core,” Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said in a news release.
“Drugs and violence are hurting all of us who live and work throughout the entire Kansas City metro area.”
Darious D. Miller on Tuesday pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, delivery of a controlled substance and armed criminal action in the death of 20-year-old Kirin J. Logan of Kansas City, Kansas.
Logan was found about 9 p.m. Feb. 16 face down in the grass between two apartment buildings at the Northland Passage apartment complex in the 6300 block of North London Avenue in Kansas City, North. He had been fatally shot.
Miller, who was on the balcony of his apartment, allegedly told arriving officers, “I am the shooter. I shot him,” according to the news release.
During the investigation of the homicide, police found two handguns and four mason jars of marijuana near Logan’s body. They also found nine 9mm cartridge casings in the grass below Miller’s balcony and three casings on the balcony. They also allegedly found a 9mm handgun inside his apartment along with an assault rifle and $720 in cash, according to the release.
Forensic examiners found evidence on Logan’s phone that Miller allegedly had planned to sell Logan several ounces of marijuana.
“Too many young people are suffering violent deaths over small amounts of drugs,” Zahnd said. “And to those who think they can ignore the problem because it won’t affect their neighborhood, I say, ‘Wake up.’ We all have to come together as city, state and nation to change the culture that is resulting in record homicides.”
As of Thursday, there have been 182 homicides across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area, according to data kept by The Star, which includes police shootings. In Kansas City alone, there have been 128 homicides as of Thursday.
A sentencing hearing for Miller has been set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Miller faces up to 20 years in prison.
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America and sponsored in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help.
To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 10:46 AM with the headline "After man pleads guilty to Kansas City murder, prosecutor urges people to ‘wake up’."
