Eric Devalkenaere, an Ex-cop, Gets Pardoned After Killing a Black Man by the Missouri Governor

After serving a year and two months in jail, Eric DeValkenaere was freed Friday at noon, as requested by his wife and requested by Governor Mike Parson, so that he may spend Christmas at home. For many years, the family of Cameron Lamb, the Black man DeValkenaere killed at the age of 26, had been afraid Parson would release the former police detective. Former Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenaere’s sentence was commuted by Missouri Governor Mike Parson late Friday, granting his family’s appeal for his release. At 1:15 p.m. Friday, DeValkenaere, 46, who was being detained in an unnamed out-of-state jail, was freed, according to Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson Karen Pojmann. Eric DeValkenaere 6-year sentence was cut to just around a year DeValkenaere was given a six-year sentence and was imprisoned for over 430 days, or just over a year. Among a list of 16 pardons and eight additional commutations, Parson, who has issued his fair share of contentious pardons, made the announcement without remark. Parson, a former county sheriff, has made it clear for a long time that he wanted DeValkenaere released. Both Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who secured the conviction, and the family of...