The lack of transparency surrounding the Independence police shooting that killed Maria Pike and her infant daughter, Destinii, contrasts sharply with the timely release of information in other recent Missouri police shootings. While police Chief Adam Dustman confirmed an officer-involved shooting following a 911 call reporting domestic violence, details regarding the events leading to the fatalities remain undisclosed. The investigation, led by the Eastern Jackson County Police Involved Investigation Team, is ongoing, but the delayed information release is raising concerns among the public and media. This contrasts with other cases where basic information, including the officer’s use of force, was released within hours or days of the incident.
Read More
In Independence, Missouri, a police officer fatally shot a woman armed with a knife during a domestic disturbance call, resulting in the death of a child as well. The incident occurred after attempts at de-escalation, including the presence of a mental health professional who did not engage with the armed suspect. An investigation is underway to determine the child’s cause of death and whether police actions complied with protocols. The officer involved, along with two others, has been placed on administrative leave.
Read More
I can hardly wrap my head around the recent arguments presented by the Missouri Attorney General regarding the abortion pill and its impact on teen pregnancies. To say they’re bizarre would be an understatement. The assertion that the availability of mifepristone will somehow harm the state by lowering teen pregnancies is a perplexing dive into a kind of logic that is hard to comprehend. It’s shocking to see a political figure arguing in favor of more pregnant teens as if that’s the solution to some ill-defined crisis. What are they thinking?
The argument seems to boil down to a starkly utilitarian view of women—they’re seen as vessels for reproduction rather than individuals with agency and rights.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the recent news that a Missouri judge has once again blocked President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration and disbelief. The constant back and forth, the legal battles, and the political posturing – it’s all starting to feel like a never-ending rollercoaster of hope and disappointment.
It’s disheartening to see a federal judge in a state like Missouri, with its own set of unique challenges and circumstances, derail a plan that could have potentially changed the lives of so many struggling borrowers. The fact that this decision seems to be motivated by political ideology rather than genuine concern for the well-being of American citizens is even more infuriating.… Continue reading
Missouri executes Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors’ push to overturn conviction
The recent execution of Marcellus Williams in Missouri is a stark reminder of the deep flaws and inherent injustices that plague our justice system. Despite the lack of forensic evidence linking Williams to the crime, and despite prosecutors retracting his conviction, the state went ahead with his execution. It is a disturbing example of how the system can fail, and how the very people it is meant to protect can be failed by it.
It is appalling to think that a man’s life was taken based on shaky evidence and questionable circumstances.… Continue reading
As I sit here, grappling with the news of Marcellus Williams’ execution in Missouri despite prosecutors pushing to overturn his conviction, I am filled with a mixture of anger, sadness, and disbelief. The sheer injustice of it all is staggering. Here was a man who, at the very least, had enough doubt surrounding his guilt that his own legal team sought to halt his execution in exchange for a new sentence of life without parole. His plea deal was signed off by a judge and even the victim’s family did not want to see him put to death. Yet, the State Attorney General, the Governor, and the State Supreme Court pushed relentlessly to ensure that he met his end.… Continue reading
As I sit here, reflecting on the recent news of a condemned inmate facing “surgery without anesthesia” due to the elusive nature of finding a good vein, I am grappling with a mix of emotions and thoughts. The concept of subjecting someone to such a barbaric procedure, in the name of executing justice, is deeply disturbing.
Reading through the various opinions and arguments surrounding this issue, it is clear that the situation is not as straightforward as it may seem. With medical professionals expressing their ability to find veins with ease, the question arises as to why such extreme measures would even be considered.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker