Missouri prosecutors to seek death penalty in killing of court employee and police officer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to seek the death penalty against a Kansas City man accused of killing a court employee who tried to serve him an eviction notice and a police officer who responded.

Larry Acree, 70, of Independence, is accused of shooting court employee Drexel Mack on Feb. 29, plus two police officers who responded to the scene, including Cody Allen, who was killed. Officers returned fire and arrested Acree, who suffered minor injuries.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office filed a notice with the court saying the state will prove there are sufficient aggravating circumstances to warrant the death penalty. Acree is charged with a total of 18 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.

According to court documents, Acree owed back taxes dating back to at least 2019. His 3.6-acre estate and three-bedroom home were sold last August for $260,000, and the new owner paid the taxes. A “Notice to Vacate” sign was placed at the property in February and authorities have said Acree had no right to be there.

During a brief hearing Wednesday, Acree’s attorney, Edward Berrigan of the Missouri State Public Defender’s office, asked for a delay so that public defenders who handle death penalty cases could be reassigned, the Kansas City Star reported.

Acree’s next court date is set for July 10 in Independence, a Kansas City suburb with a population of about 122,000.

Eleven people are currently on death row in Missouri.