Kansas City Detective Convicted of Killing Black Man In His Own Garage and Allegedly Planting Gun Will Likely Be Freed By Governor-elect Who’s Also Friends with the Ex-Cop’s Wife

It’s now inevitable that former Kansas City Police Detective Eric J. DeValkenaere, convicted in 2021 for fatally shooting a Black man who had just returned home, will not serve out his 6-year prison sentence. He’ll barely serve one year of it. Missouri’s Gov.-Elect Mike Kehoe, a friend of the imprisoned cop and his wife, told reporters last week he’ll commute DeValkenaere’s sentence once he takes office. That is unless Missouri’s current Gov. Mike Parson doesn’t pardon him first. Eric DeValkenaere (left) “I’ve met Sarah and Eric before he was imprisoned – and I would say wrongly,” Kehoe said last week. “I believe we need to have Eric’s back. I’ve been very vocal in saying should I succeed in running for governor, Eric DeValkenaere will be home with his family. I still am hopeful and prayerful that happens before I get into the governor’s office.” Back in September, Parson said he, too, was inclined to release DeValkenaere, 45, telling a Kansas City radio station that the case had been politicized by an overzealous prosecutor. DeValkenaere, who is white, was found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in Lamb’s 2019 death. It marked the first time a Kansas City...