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