For Immediate Release
June 14, 2019
A Jackson County jury late Thursday found Tyler J. Gates of Independence guilty of Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action in connection with the January 2018 fatal shooting of Matthew Haylock, 17, at an Independence Center parking lot, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
The jury recommended that Gates, dob: 11/16/1999, serve sentences of 20 years on the Murder 2nd Degree conviction and 7 years on the Armed Criminal Action conviction. A sentencing hearing has been set for Aug. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
According to court records, Independence police responded on a reported shooting the evening of Jan. 2, 2018 at Independence Center in the 18800 block of East 39th Street South. Officers found the victim on the pavement. A witness told police that the defendant was in a vehicle with the victim.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Traci Stansell and Hallie Williams 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.