Kansas City man sentenced in fatal stabbing; why he might only serve 120 days
A Jackson County judge on Friday sentenced a Kansas City man to four years in prison for a fatal stabbing, but he could be eligible for probation after successfully completing a 120-day program, court records show.
Judge Sarah A. Castle handed down the sentence to 54-year-old Leon J. Reese, who pleaded guilty in August to one count of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in the March death of 52-year-old Eric Stennis. Along with the prison term, Castle recommended that Reese be placed in a Missouri Department of Corrections 120-day treatment program.
Prosecutors originally charged Reese with second-degree murder, tampering with a witness, and two counts of armed criminal action. As part of a plea agreement, the murder charge was reduced to involuntary manslaughter, and the remaining charges were dismissed. Reese pleaded guilty just days before he was to stand trial in August.
Under Missouri law, Reese could be released on probation if the Department of Corrections determines he has successfully completed the program and Judge Castle agrees his release is appropriate.
According to court documents, police responded around 11 p.m. on March 31 to a medical call in the 3000 block of Mersington Avenue in Kansas City’s Ingleside neighborhood.
There, emergency medical workers were attempting to save Stennis, who had been stabbed in the abdomen. He died from his injuries.
A witness told police that she saw Reese, Stennis and another person hanging out when an argument erupted between Reese and Stennis. The argument escalated, and Reese approached Stennis with a knife. Stennis allegedly threw a rock at Reese, who then swung the knife. Stennis was struck by the knife and fled into a field with Reese allegedly chasing after him.
Detectives searching for surveillance video of the stabbing the following afternoon found Reese, who was allegedly armed with a knife, standing over a witness. When detectives approached, Reese allegedly threw the knife toward them. Detectives then arrested Reese and took the knife as evidence.
The witness told police that Reese had threatened to kill her if she reported anything about the stabbing.
