Kansas City area man threatened to rape and kill Jackson County judge, prosecutors say
A Kansas City area man has been charged with a felony after he allegedly described in graphic detail his plan to rape and murder a Jackson County judge.
Bryon G. Postlethwait, 36, of Independence, faces one count of tampering with a judicial officer, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday. The charges came after several witnesses reported concerns to the Independence Police Department.
Police began investigating the alleged threat on Sunday after a concerned person reported that Postlethwait intended to “kill people because they had stolen his family,” according to court records. Filings in Jackson County Circuit Court show Postlethwait is in the middle of a divorce.
Two additional witnesses told police that Postlethwait planned to kill the judge, her husband and himself on May 2. His plan was to stab her, “rape her in the stab wound” and “make her husband watch while he bled to death,” court records state.
Concerned witnesses told police Postlethwait may need mental health treatment. They also said he has not visited his children in some time and wanted to see them once more before carrying out the plan, according to court records.
Postlethwait was placed on a 96-hour hold ordered by the court in an area hospital for psychiatric evaluation, court records state.
This story was originally published April 30, 2021 at 6:28 PM.
