MO Supreme Court assigns judge to case in killing of Independence officer, court worker
A 15th circuit court judge has been appointed to preside over the case of a man who allegedly fatally shot an Independence police officer and a Jackson County court employee.
Judge W. Page Bellamy, who works in Saline County, will transfer to Jackson County Circuit Court to preside over the case of Larry Acree, according to a decision Friday from the Missouri Supreme Court. Jackson County court judges recused themselves from presiding over the case.
Larry Acree, 69, was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree murder as well as first-degree assault and armed criminal action for his alleged role in the fatal shooting Thursday of Jackson County civil process server Drexel Mack, 41, and Independence police officer Cody Allen, 35.
Civil process servers, including Mack, arrived at Acree’s former home in the 1100 block of North Elsea Smith Road Thursday to carry out an eviction. Police said they announced their presence and had a maintenance worker drill the locks off the door when there was no answer.
At that point, Acree allegedly shot Mack, who fell to the ground, according to a probable cause affidavit. Acree allegedly continued to shoot at officers who came to Mack’s aid, including Allen, who was shot in the head.
Acree also allegedly shot two other police officers, whom officials said were released from the hospital and are recovering at home.
Police returned fire and took Acree into custody at the scene with minor injuries.
Acree is in police custody on a $2 million bond. He will be transferred to Jackson County jail once he recovers from his injuries.
An initial court date has not been set.
