News Articles

John Picerno, the families’ attorney, told The Star that the plaintiffs in the case were deeply disturbed to learn that Newton had previously taken another life. “They all believe he should no longer serve in law enforcement,” Picerno told Star reporter Caroline Zimmerman. “I am in agreement with my clients.”

“(Newton) is still employed there, so sadly it’s another example of KCPD failing to impose any type of significant sanctions against their own employees who act outside the law, in our opinion,” Picerno said.

“My client is still living under a cloud of suspicion,” Picerno said. “The general public believes he is responsible for their deaths, and that’s simply not true. I knew it initially and... I think prosecutors know that as well and so it’s kind of frustrating that they won’t come out publicly and state that.”

The mother and children of a former Joplin resident who died June 29, 2018 in the Newton County Jail will receive a