For Immediate Release
August 17, 2024
A St. Joseph, MO, man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the non-fatal shooting of another man, a shooting in Kansas City that was observed by a passing police officer, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Matthew Whitmill, during his trial earlier this month on several felony charges related to the shooting, offered to prosecutors to plea to the assault. Both prosecution and defense had just rested their cases in the trial when the plea negotiations began.
On Thursday, a Jackson County judge accepted Whitmill's pleas of guilt to Assault in the 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The judge sentenced the defendant to 15 years on the Assault conviction and 3 years on Armed Criminal Action. His total sentence was 18 years.
According to court records, a Kansas City police sergeant was in his marked vehicle when he observed a man later identified as the defendant holding a gun and pointing it at another individual.he shooting. Surveillance video also captured the shooting. The defendant jumped into a vehicle and attempted to flee, but stop sticks helped stop the fleeing defendant.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Stephanie Sang and Clayton Comley 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
(816) 881-3812
(816) 674-3954
mmansur@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com