Sincerely, The Star dispatch: ‘Problem’ cop who’s killed 3 is still policing KC. Why?
Good afternoon, subscribers!
Welcome back to The Star’s subscriber-exclusive newsletter: Sincerely, The Star.
I’m Rachel Adamson, your guide through all of The Star’s biggest headlines.
This week, we’re breaking down why a known “problem” cop who’s killed three people and cost the city millions in settlements is still with KCPD.
Plus, see where a hugely popular KC-area doughnut business opened its first store and find out who the Chiefs are eyeing to design their new domed stadium.
Let’s get into it. And if you’re not subscribed to this newsletter, sign up here to get us in your inbox every week.
This week’s top story
A Kansas City cop who has dodged charges for killing three people on duty, has a record of excessive force cases and who’s been described by a top official as a “public safety threat” is still policing in the city.
Blayne Newton won’t face criminal charges for firing 16 rounds into a van in a 2023 triple shooting that left two dead in KC’s Eastside, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced last week.
The police department, primarily funded by taxpayers, agreed in September to shell out $3.5 million to settle a civil lawsuit in the 2023 shooting deaths.
That wasn’t the first time Newton had shot and killed or used excessive force on Kansas Citians in his nine-year career with KCPD.
On March 12, 2020, Newton fatally shot a 47-year-old man after a traffic stop near Prospect Avenue. He wasn’t charged in the killing. Later that year, Newton was accused of placing his knee into the back of a woman who was nine months pregnant during an arrest.
He was also one of three officers accused of beating and using a police stun gun on a teenager in 2019. Prior to that, a woman who accused him of assault and battery in Platte County reached a settlement agreement for $65,000.
In her letter to the victims’ families, the Jackson County prosecutor said she remains concerned that Newton continues to be employed. But why couldn’t her office press charges?
Experts divided: Blayne Newton ducked criminal charges in the 2023 double-shooting due to Missouri’s use-of-force law, the Jackson County prosecutor said. Some experts disagree.
‘Fire Blayne Newton’: Residents are demanding that Newton lose his job. Community members didn’t mince words at the KC Police Board of Commissioners’ meeting this week.
From opinion: Even though Jackson County’s top prosecutor can’t press charges against Newton, she still called him a danger to the city who needs to be fired. The Star Editorial Board strongly agrees.
Bites, brews and barbecue
🍩 A widely popular local doughnut business opened its first brick-and-mortar shop over the weekend after years of drawing huge lines to farmers markets for its famed sourdough treats.
🐓 A local grocery store chain known as a KC staple is opening another location in this Johnson County development.
✉️ Stay up to date on what’s new to eat and drink in KC with our weekly Let’s Dish newsletter.
Reality Check
❗ A 28-year-old Emporia teacher was found dead in the snow after going missing in the winter freeze over the weekend. She was last seen leaving a bar — leaving behind her purse, phone and jacket, according to police.
🤔 Some Kansas and Missouri Republicans are blaming Alex Pretti’s gun after an ICE agent fatally shot him in Minneapolis, contradicting decades of GOP messaging.
✉️ Sign up for our weekly Reality Check newsletter to dive deeper into KC’s biggest news stories.
Latest on the Chiefs
👀 The Chiefs announced two finalists to design their new $3 billion domed stadium in KCK. Meet the two local architectural firms that have both designed other NFL stadiums.
🗣️ Will Eric Bieniemy call plays for the Chiefs? Not so fast, Andy Reid told reporters earlier this week.
✉️ Get our latest analysis of the Chiefs in our twice-weekly Chiefs Extra newsletter.
Your KC questions, answered
🕳 Why is there a 19-foot-deep hole in a KC grocery store parking lot? Well, it’s fixing a problem that Westport has dealt with for decades.
Through our lens
Sledders took to Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village to enjoy the snow that a winter storm dropped on the metro over the weekend.
Colder temperatures and a chance for more snow return to KC soon.
As always, thank you for subscribing to The Star and supporting our high-quality, local journalism.
If you have questions about anything we’re doing at The Star, feel free to send me an email at radamson@kcstar.com.
See you next week!
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