For Immediate Release
Sept. 28, 2016
A Jackson County jury today convicted an Independence man in the October 2014 fatal shooting of Samuel Hewitt, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Melvin M. McCaslin, dob: 12/16/1972, was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter and Armed Criminal Action.*
The defendant will be sentenced Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
According to court records, police were dispatched to the 8600 block of Thompson in Kansas City and found the victim inside a vehicle. He had suffered a gunshot wound. Later, the Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled the victim had sustained a contact range gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses told police the victim was at a residence when an argument and fight occurred. The suspect walked up to the victim, who was "out cold" on the ground and a gunshot was fired. Another witness heard someone yell, "You shot him."
Prosecutors Brady Twenter and Joe Van Amburg 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
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.