For Immediate Release
April 20, 2017
A Jackson County jury late Wednesday convicted James Rhymer in the 2014 murder of David Mendez, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
The jury convicted Rhymer of Murder in the 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree, Kidnapping and three counts of Armed Criminal Action. Rhymer will be sentenced on July 7.
According to court records, witnesses told police Rhymer shot the victim in the area of 12th and Ewing while the victim was in a vehicle. Rhymer then attempted to burn the body and dispose of it in a rural location south of Kansas City. Police later located the burned pickup and the victim's body, and police later took the defendant into custody after he barricaded himself in his Kansas City apartment.
Chief Trial Assistant Michael Hunt 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