For Immediate Release
April 2, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced several felony charges against a Kansas City man in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred on Monday near East 30th Street and Mersington Avenue.
Leon J. Reese faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Tampering with a Witness. *
“I am proud of the swift work and collaboration between our office and our law enforcement partners, who quickly investigated this tragic case. This defendant not only took a life but also threatened a witness—a serious crime. In this case, it is a class D felony, carrying up to seven years of imprisonment without the eligibility of parole,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has systems in place to support witnesses who do bravely come forward. When witnesses speak up, our entire community becomes safer.”
According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched near the 3000 block of Mersington Avenue on March 31 and located Kansas City Fire Department personnel rendering aid to the victim who was suffering from stab wounds to his stomach and abdomen. The victim was declared deceased.
Based on witness statements, the defendant and the victim became involved in a verbal altercation, which escalated as the defendant approached the victim with a knife and stabbed him.
The next day, as detectives were collecting surveillance footage of the incident around the crime scene, they found the defendant standing over a witness with a knife. Detectives gave verbal commands to drop the knife, and the defendant threw the knife in the direction of detectives who were then able to take the defendant into custody.
The defendant is being held with no bond.
*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty.
# # #
Media Contact:
Jazzlyn Johnson
Director of Communications
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
415 E 12th Street
Kansas City, MO - 64106
(816) 929-1289
jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com