For Immediate Release
June 23, 2021
A Jackson County judge has sentenced a Kansas City man to life in prison for his conviction in the fatal stabbing his father inside his father's Independence residence in April 2018, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
In April 2021, a Jackson County jury found Curtis V. Lee, dob: 4/30/1978, guilty of Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The judge sentenced Lee today to life in prison for the Murder 1st Degree conviction and 15 years for the Armed Criminal Action conviction. He set both sentences to run concurrent.
According to court records, Independence Police Department officers were dispatched in April 2018 to the 3500 block of S. Lynn Court in Independence. Lee met officers at the door. Police found brothers Clyde and Charles Burtin in the resident. Both appeared to have stab wounds. A large knife with apparent dried blood on the blade was located inside. Lee told police that his father and uncle were arguing. Lee stated he went into his father's bedroom and they smoked a cigarette. Lee advised his dad, "It's going to be you or me," he told police. Lee stated he grabbed the knife and stabbed his father.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Hallie Schuman, Jeremy Baldwin and Kent Stejskal prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile : (816) 674-3954
www.jacksoncounyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.