News Flash

JCPAO Press Releases

Posted on: February 27, 2023

Jackson County jury convicts Gene Birdsong, recommends life in prison plus 17 years

For Immediate Release
Feb. 27, 2023

A Jackson County jury on Monday convicted Gene Birdsong and recommended he be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole -- plus 17 years more -- for Birdsong's fatal stabbing in November 2018 of his wife Tabitha, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Earlier Monday, a Jackson County jury found Birdsong guity of 1st Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action charges. They soon after began sentencing deliberations and recommended 17 years, at the prosecutor's suggestion, for the Armed Criminal Action conviction. The Murder 1st Degree convictions carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to court records, on Nov. 6, 2018, officers from the Kansas City, MO, Police responded to Roanoke and Madison in Kansas City on a report of a dead body. They found the victim's body. She had obvious head injuries. They also found in her pocket an order of protection with her and the defendant's name on it. Witnesses told police they were seen or heard together hours before her death. A witness also saw the  defendant with bloody pants. Police found bloody clothing in a room where the defendant had been staying.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker released this statement:

"I'm grateful for this trial team that has carried this case for years, since it began. Today we should first all remember Tabitha, who lost her life at the hands of her domestic abuser. Obviously, nothing we could do would bring her back. But it was our honor to fight for her."

Assistant Jackson County Prosecutors Kristiane Bryant, Dani Sediqzad and Joel Ritchie 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.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org

Charging Document(s)
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in JCPAO Press Releases

KC man charged in April 30 homicide in KC

Posted on: September 29, 2017

16-year-old KC teen charged in 2016 murder

Posted on: December 23, 2016

KC man charged in Midtown carjacking

Posted on: November 4, 2016

KC man charged in rape of 14-year-old girl

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Charges in Grandview robbery

Posted on: April 20, 2016

Guilty plea in child death case

Posted on: April 13, 2016

KC man charged in KC car chase

Posted on: April 8, 2016

Police officer’s conviction upheld

Posted on: April 5, 2016

Charges filed in fatal KC shooting

Posted on: April 1, 2016

Charges filed in Independence murder

Posted on: March 31, 2016

Independence eluding leads to charges

Posted on: March 11, 2016

Sexual assault of 15-year-old

Posted on: March 9, 2016

Charges in weekend chase, crash

Posted on: March 6, 2016

Sword-wielding man leads police on chase

Posted on: February 25, 2016

Charges in Monday shooting

Posted on: February 24, 2016

Two charged in double homicide

Posted on: February 3, 2016

Manslaughter charges filed in 2015 wreck

Posted on: January 25, 2016

One charged in KC rape

Posted on: January 22, 2016

Charges in Jan. 9 gun slaying

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Messina honored by KCMBA

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Independence murder

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Grandview hit-and-run

Posted on: December 30, 2015

Solar energy theft involved area churches

Posted on: December 16, 2015