Crime

Former Independence band teacher accused of molestation committed suicide

James N. Owens of Lee’s Summit, a former Independence band teacher who in 2012 was charged with child enticement and molestation, died last week, one day before he was scheduled to attend a plea hearing in his case.
James N. Owens of Lee’s Summit, a former Independence band teacher who in 2012 was charged with child enticement and molestation, died last week, one day before he was scheduled to attend a plea hearing in his case.

A former band teacher committed suicide the day before his plea hearing was to occur last week, according to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s office.

James M. Owens, 29, who taught at William Chrisman High School and Bingham Middle School in Independence, had faced child enticement and molestation charges involving alleged actions with a 14-year-old student. A plea hearing had been scheduled for last Thursday, in advance of a trial set for this week.

Lee’s Summit police responded to a death investigation call at Owens’ Lee’s Summit home on Wednesday.

Brian Burnes, bburnes@kcstar.com

This story was originally published August 5, 2014 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Former Independence band teacher accused of molestation committed suicide."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER