Reflections on justice and injustice in Kansas City today

Toriano Porter explores the many challenges facing justice in Kansas City. He highlights the firing of a city social media employee over a harmless post, and questions if real accountability reaches those who fuel online hate. Porter's reflections include the distressing case of Andrew Lester and Ralph Yarl, reminding us to center true victims even as justice feels incomplete.

He scrutinizes policing on Prospect Avenue and the impact of officers with troubling histories. Porter also examines wrongful convictions, like Sandra Hemme’s, and calls for an honest review of legal missteps and the larger implications of Missouri’s death penalty practices. These columns show how justice hinges on fairness, oversight, and deep community truth-telling.

NO. 1: AG BAILEY GOT HIS WAY AND KC SOCIAL MEDIA EMPLOYEE IS OUT. WHAT ABOUT REAL VICTIMS? | OPINION

The city X account never doxxed Harrison Butker in the first place. But the attorney general’s office disclosed private identities and contact information in public court documents. From Toriano Porter: | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

NO. 2: SANDY HEMME’S FINALLY ALMOST FREE. WHO ELSE DID HER INEFFECTIVE LAWYER GET LOCKED UP? | OPINION

“Every case Bob Duncan has ever touched needs to be reviewed by the justice system,” said one private investigator. From Toriano Porter: | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

NO. 3: KCPD MUST COMPENSATE FAMILY OF UNARMED MAN KILLED BY EX-POLICE DET. DEVALKENAERE | OPINION

Former Kansas City Police Det. Eric DeValkenaere’s qualified immunity claim rejected, opening the door for $10 million in civil lawsuit. From Toriano Porter: | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

Protestors gathered at the corner of 39th and Troost in Kansas City on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 to protest the execution of Marcellus Williams. Williams was slated to executed at 6 p.m. on Tuesday after a final push for a stay was denied by the Supreme Court. By Dominick Williams

NO. 4: WHAT IF MISSOURI GOT IT WRONG AND EXECUTED AN INNOCENT MAN? ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY | OPINION

Missouri executes Marcellus ‘Khaliifah’ Williams despite doubts about his guilt. Is the death penalty inhumane and prone to errors? From Toriano Porter: | Published September 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves calls on a reporter during a press conference about the Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Kansas City. By Nick Wagner

NO. 5: STRESSING BALANCE BETWEEN POLICING AND OVERPOLICING ON PROSPECT TO ENSURE SAFETY | OPINION

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves kept her promise for 24/7 law enforcement presence at Linwood Shopping Center, but critics question the need for overpolicing. From Toriano Porter: | Published October 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

NO. 6: AFTER ANDREW LESTER’S DEATH, NEVER FORGET RALPH YARL IS THE TRUE VICTIM IN THIS CASE | OPINION

Toriano Porter agrees with the family of the teen shot for ringing the wrong doorbell: Justice was never truly served. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Toriano Porter

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.