JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former Kansas City police officer, Eric DeValkenaere, who is white, was released from prison on Friday after Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, commuted his sentence. DeValkenaere had been serving time for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a Black man, Cameron Lamb. This decision follows a prolonged public discourse surrounding the case, which intensified discussions about racial justice and included strong appeals for DeValkenaere’s release from his supporters, who claimed he was wrongfully convicted.
DeValkenaere had been sentenced to six years in prison after he was found guilty in 2021 for killing Lamb, who was 26, while backing into his garage. The name of Campbell Lamb surfaced regularly during the racial justice protests that erupted in Kansas City in 2020, triggered by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. In a significant moment that year, Lamb’s family even met with then-President Donald Trump.
While Governor Parson did not issue a full pardon, his decision to reduce DeValkenaere’s sentence to parole introduced standard restrictions, such as prohibitions on possessing firearms and traveling out of state without permission. Parson also granted a similar parole reduction to another inmate, Patty Prewitt, who had been imprisoned for 40 years for her husband’s murder. The Missouri Department of Corrections confirmed that both individuals were released on Friday afternoon, just before Parson made his announcements. It was also noted that DeValkenaere had been held in a prison outside the state for his safety.
Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund which advocates for DeValkenaere, announced their intention to continue working towards completely clearing his name. He emphasized DeValkenaere’s commendable record, asserting that even those who disagree should recognize that justice is not served by his continued imprisonment.
These clemency actions by Parson come as he nears the end of his gubernatorial term and follow a significant pattern of clemency decisions. Since taking office in June 2018, Parson, a former sheriff, has either pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 800 individuals, addressing a backlog of more than 3,500 clemency requests. His tenure has seen the highest number of clemency actions among Missouri governors since the 1940s, focusing primarily on those convicted of lesser crimes. However, he also denied more than 3,000 petitions for clemency.
Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, criticized Parson’s clemency decision regarding DeValkenaere, stating it would tarnish the governor’s legacy and exacerbate societal divisions. She characterized the choice as a blatant endorsement of systemic racism and a betrayal of justice, arguing that by freeing a convicted officer who killed Lamb, Parson demonstrated a disregard for Black lives in Missouri.
During the trial, DeValkenaere testified that he fired his weapon on December 3, 2019, acting in response to Lamb allegedly pointing a gun at another detective. Prosecutors countered that police had no legitimate reason to be on the property and accused them of tampering with the scene to support claims that Lamb was armed.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker reiterated that DeValkenaere was convicted of killing an unarmed man, stressing that the governor showed excessive leniency towards him while the victims did not receive similar mercy. She added that the focus should now be on supporting Lamb’s family instead of further commentary on the case.
Evidence presented in court revealed that DeValkenaere breached a barricade to access Lamb’s backyard. The trial judge, Dale Youngs, noted that officers lacked a warrant for Lamb’s arrest and did not have consent to enter the property, deeming it a tragic situation with concerning facts. However, he refrained from addressing allegations of evidence tampering.
DeValkenaere, following his conviction, left the police force but remained free on bail until his appeal was denied in October 2023, with the Missouri Supreme Court rejecting subsequent appeals. His wife, Sarah DeValkenaere, frequently utilized social media to rally support for his pardon, expressing her longing for him and lamenting his conviction for his service to the city.
Despite making the clemency announcements, Parson did not provide a detailed rationale for his decisions. However, he acknowledged the significant pressure surrounding the issue following an interview in August, indicating that he was aware of the ongoing dialogue regarding DeValkenaere.
Patty Prewitt, now 75, had sought clemency multiple times throughout her lengthy incarceration, stemming from her conviction for fatally shooting her husband while he slept in 1984. Her case involved complex narratives surrounding her marriage and alleged infidelity, with supporters suggesting that new evidence might warrant a different judicial outcome today.
In conclusion, the clemency decisions made by Governor Parson resonate within a broader context of legal and social discussions about justice, race, and the implications of such actions on communities and legal precedent.
