If I didn't know the awful truth, I'd swear Andre D. Jones was sleeping.
But I know the truth.
Jones' rest is eternal. He looks peaceful lying in his casket, sharply dressed in an argyle sweater and button-down shirt, his newsboy hat snug on his head. But his tranquil look belies the truth. Jones, 33, was the victim of one of the metro's most disturbing murders of 2009: a quadruple homicide in Raytown whose other victims were his 21-year-old girlfriend, Precious Triplett, and her nephews, 10-year-old Amir Clemons and 7-year-old Gerard Clemons.
In March, their bodies were discovered by the young boys' father in an apartment near 61st Street and Raytown Road. The only life spared was that of an 18-month-old toddler.
Jones' cousin posted a video slideshow of his visitation on YouTube. Slide after slide flashes on the screen, showing Jones' friends, family and others surrounding his coffin, holding his hand and wiping away tears. More than 1,900 people have seen the video, which also shows a poster. "Help us catch a monster," it begs.
"Somebody know something ... imagine what these families are going thru ... someone lost a ... father, brother, son, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend ... somebody know ... somebody saw ... speak up!"
The video ends with the victims' names scrolling like movie credits.
Months went by without an arrest, compelling U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and former Kansas City Councilman Alvin Brooks to plead for tips. At an April press conference, Cleaver, a minister, sounded as if the murders had shaken his faith. "I have never stood in the pulpit of a church and looked over into the casket of two young children who have been brutally murdered," Cleaver said. "I don't know if my seminary training had been sufficient to allow a detachment of that experience. We're trained that we cannot become so emotionally involved when we do funerals that it begins to alter who we are. That funeral has altered who I am. ... It is something that will remain with me for the rest of my life."
Nearly four months after the killings, Jackson County prosecutors charged 24-year-old Gevante D. Anderson with first-degree murder. Anderson was reportedly Triplett's ex-boyfriend — and the father of the toddler found alive in the apartment.
Though not posted on YouTube, similar scenes played out in funeral homes across the metro.
As this issue of The Pitch goes to press, only 48 hours remain in 2009. If no one is murdered by the time this issue hits the streets, 2009 will close with 109 homicides in Kansas City, Missouri. The number will be lower than the year before, a hollow victory in another bloody year. Meanwhile, Kansas City, Kansas, counted 39 homicides. There were five in Raytown, six in Independence and three in Overland Park.
We knew it would be like this. As 2008 came to a close and police tallied 126 people murdered in Kansas City, Missouri, my colleagues and I tried to think of a way to comprehend the yearly slaughter. At the very least, we decided that we would write something about each victim, gathering photos when we could, and post the information on our news blog, the Plog at pitch.com. We called the project Killa City.
As the paper's blog editor, I have lived in Killa City for a year now. I don't have any insights or explanations for the carnage. I've noticed a few themes, though.
First, there's the randomness.
Deanna Lieber lived in Lawrence. One Friday night in July, after watching a performance of Anything Goes at Starlight Theatre with her 13-year-old daughter and her mother-in-law, Lieber, 45, was heading home on U.S. Highway 71 when she was killed by a stray bullet near 59th Street.
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Well if your brother didn't actually do the shooting,he is still guilty he was there as a"lookout therefore the crime was properly executed because your brothe was involved in the crime!Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if your brother didn't actually do the shooting,he is still guilty he was there as a"lookout therefore the crime was properly executed because your brothe was involved in the crime!Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im so sorry that you were a victim of a hate crime that was not neccassary. I truly think that people murder those who achieve in life and trying to make a life thats good for themeselves. I truly am sorry and feel extreme sorrow for your famiy.
Im so sorry that you were a victim of a hate crime that was not neccassary. I truly think that people murder those who achieve in life and trying to make a life thats good for themeselves. I truly am sorry and feel extreme sorrow for your famiy.
My husband Mauro Brito Pacheco is greatly missed, He leaves behind me his wife a 2 year old, 6 year old and 15 year old step daughter, Who ask questions everyday... Where is my daddy to crying will there ever be justice.. Sad to say can't really answer the questions, will the violence ever end, when will one community come together and say enough is enough. I wouldn't want to live next to a neighbor I didn't know or knew that they are keeping valuable information from this tragedy.... Is that where you want to live? Are them the neighbors you want living next to you, We need to stop this violence and it all begins with YOU, make a difference get involved in your community, this can happen to anyone and if we don't do something about it, It can happen to you or your friend, brother, father, son, husband. So if you: See it, hear it, Call it 816-471-TIPS If you have any information on the murder of my husband Mauro Brito Pacheco Please call. Thank you Michelle Brito Pacheco
My husband Mauro Brito Pacheco is greatly missed, He leaves behind me his wife a 2 year old, 6 year old and 15 year old step daughter, Who ask questions everyday... Where is my daddy to crying will there ever be justice.. Sad to say can't really answer the questions, will the violence ever end, when will one community come together and say enough is enough. I wouldn't want to live next to a neighbor I didn't know or knew that they are keeping valuable information from this tragedy.... Is that where you want to live? Are them the neighbors you want living next to you, We need to stop this violence and it all begins with YOU, make a difference get involved in your community, this can happen to anyone and if we don't do something about it, It can happen to you or your friend, brother, father, son, husband. So if you: See it, hear it, Call it 816-471-TIPS If you have any information on the murder of my husband Mauro Brito Pacheco Please call. Thank you Michelle Brito Pacheco
I was surprised, throughout 2009, how many murder victims' photos were available, via their previous mug shots, to run with the notices of their deaths. Clearly, a lot of these folks were involved in a criminal lifestyle. It doesn't excuse their murders. Just saying.
I was surprised, throughout 2009, how many murder victims' photos were available, via their previous mug shots, to run with the notices of their deaths. Clearly, a lot of these folks were involved in a criminal lifestyle. It doesn't excuse their murders. Just saying.
I have to comment on the rambling post by Robert who makes his home in Killa City. Robert, it appears to me you and people like you with your attitude are part of the problem not the solution. It's your neighborhood, why do you tolerate the crap that goes on there. The way people in your neighborhood raise their children - is the problem. The police can't change their behaviors, they can only capture them and put them in cages(prison, public housing, criminal education facility) or whatever you want to call it, after they've committed crimes.
I have to comment on the rambling post by Robert who makes his home in Killa City. Robert, it appears to me you and people like you with your attitude are part of the problem not the solution. It's your neighborhood, why do you tolerate the crap that goes on there. The way people in your neighborhood raise their children - is the problem. The police can't change their behaviors, they can only capture them and put them in cages(prison, public housing, criminal education facility) or whatever you want to call it, after they've committed crimes.
Hello and Happy New Years, to all! My comment is directed to the state of affairs concerning our poor Killa City! As a former resident of the City and of which, most of my family members still resides there, live in fear for the safety of the youngest, of our family!
Each day, we pray that they return, intack from school!Simply because the violent nature of the community affects even the most youngest of our youngsters. They have to contend with unruly kids, at school as well as in the neiborhoods where they live! It pains my heart and countless scores of others who wish to live at home, in Kansas City and not Killa City as its so rightously nicknamed, by you and your staff (even though I hate to see this name associated with our fair city)! I dream of a city where all could once again live in peace and have concerns for one another as it once was, when I, grew up there!
I do believe that, as long as the loose display of weapons and the availibilty of drugs that infiltrate our poor city, continue as it does will only wreck more haveck on the citizens.
Those who live in the area can't live as normal citizens, of this country, as most of us do in other cities by having to fear for their lives on a daily bases. This isn't to say that crime isn't bad all around us , but it is deplorable in Killa City! Without the presents of a beat patrol in and around the communities, to give one a better sense of safety and security, there will always be these types of deaths and killings witnessed by even the youngest of children as we read about here, in your column.
We understand that the lack of common sense, repect or responsibility by most of the younger citizens has produced some very dark clouds, which hangs heavily over our fair city. They will only dissipate with greater regulations and penalties of hand guns as well as stiffer sentencing for convicted criminals of crimes against persons, along with a greater police presents in and about the community! We know about the cry for funds but it's a cry that leaves stains on many faces from far to many funerals and lost love ones, because of the unwillingness of the people commissioned to serve and protect, to do just that, regardless of pay and or kickbacks from city coffers! I know you have heard this cry before but it has to be the priority of the officers on patrol to care a little more for the citizens and not view everyone as a crininal just because one isn't fortunate enough to move out of that hell hole we call, our home!
Just giving my 3 cents, on a very bad situation!
Robert W Williams
Hello and Happy New Years, to all! My comment is directed to the state of affairs concerning our poor Killa City! As a former resident of the City and of which, most of my family members still resides there, live in fear for the safety of the youngest, of our family! Each day, we pray that they return, intack from school!Simply because the violent nature of the community affects even the most youngest of our youngsters. They have to contend with unruly kids, at school as well as in the neiborhoods where they live! It pains my heart and countless scores of others who wish to live at home, in Kansas City and not Killa City as its so rightously nicknamed, by you and your staff (even though I hate to see this name associated with our fair city)! I dream of a city where all could once again live in peace and have concerns for one another as it once was, when I, grew up there! I do believe that, as long as the loose display of weapons and the availibilty of drugs that infiltrate our poor city, continue as it does will only wreck more haveck on the citizens. Those who live in the area can't live as normal citizens, of this country, as most of us do in other cities by having to fear for their lives on a daily bases. This isn't to say that crime isn't bad all around us , but it is deplorable in Killa City! Without the presents of a beat patrol in and around the communities, to give one a better sense of safety and security, there will always be these types of deaths and killings witnessed by even the youngest of children as we read about here, in your column. We understand that the lack of common sense, repect or responsibility by most of the younger citizens has produced some very dark clouds, which hangs heavily over our fair city. They will only dissipate with greater regulations and penalties of hand guns as well as stiffer sentencing for convicted criminals of crimes against persons, along with a greater police presents in and about the community! We know about the cry for funds but it's a cry that leaves stains on many faces from far to many funerals and lost love ones, because of the unwillingness of the people commissioned to serve and protect, to do just that, regardless of pay and or kickbacks from city coffers! I know you have heard this cry before but it has to be the priority of the officers on patrol to care a little more for the citizens and not view everyone as a crininal just because one isn't fortunate enough to move out of that hell hole we call, our home! Just giving my 3 cents, on a very bad situation! Robert W Williams
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius200...
Check out the crime statistics.
Know who your fellow man is. It is ok to switch to the other sidewalk or choose another route if you see a group of a certain race.
It is ok to lock your doors and not stop at stop signs in certain neighborhoods.
It is ok to help the police solve crimes. When a certain group of people advocate a 'stop snitching' campaign, they are decrying the rule of law and seeking anarchy.
Their culture is failed. Their society is dead. They don't believe in the rule of law.
Shoot to kill, my friends. They do.
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/data/table_43.html Check out the crime statistics. Know who your fellow man is. It is ok to switch to the other sidewalk or choose another route if you see a group of a certain race. It is ok to lock your doors and not stop at stop signs in certain neighborhoods. It is ok to help the police solve crimes. When a certain group of people advocate a 'stop snitching' campaign, they are decrying the rule of law and seeking anarchy. Their culture is failed. Their society is dead. They don't believe in the rule of law. Shoot to kill, my friends. They do.
This article points to the fact that White people do not like to live around Black people. Too much violence...it is a fact.
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