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More of John's Cases
Feb. 21, 2026
"Nobody taught them to do the things that they're doing out there on the street. They're running, recklessly out there on the street of their own volition," Picerno said. It's incumbent upon the leaders in any police department in the United States of America to rein these guys back in."
Read MoreFeb. 17, 2026
“We certainly don’t need reckless law enforcement officers patrolling our streets,” Picerno said. “The decision to shoot should be the last alternative for an officer. The overwhelming majority of officers perform admirably under difficult circumstances. “An officer with his propensity for violence should never be allowed in the profession. I know my clients will be relieved.”
Read MoreJan. 26, 2026
Three factors played out in his mind that could’ve changed the entire night, Picerno said. Picerno said he doesn’t believe that Newton was ever in danger or that Nelson even knew he was there. The second factor Picerno mentioned was that Nelson was acting in self-defense and the third being Newton never activated his lights or sirens
Read MoreJan. 22, 2026
John Picerno, an attorney who represented the victims, said he and his clients met with prosecutors Wednesday afternoon and was told about their decision not to file criminal charges. “My clients are obviously very disappointed that he’s not going to be charged,” Picerno said. “They simply cannot believe that he’s still employed by KCPD based upon the amounts of incidents that he’s been involved in.” In September, the Police Department agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle a civil lawsuit in the shooting deaths before the case went to trial.
Read MoreJan. 12, 2026
Many of those shooters were repeat offenders such as Blayne Newton, a notorious bad actor who has at least three on-duty deaths on his resume. In addition, he has faced credible accusations of using excessive force on women. Newton’s untoward acts have cost taxpayers millions of dollars in settlements.
Read MoreOct. 3, 2025
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.”
Read MoreSept. 30, 2025
The group’s attorney, John Picerno, told The Star in a text Monday that while they acknowledge the settlement “with appreciation,” it doesn’t compensate for the loss of Nelson and Fairchild at the hands of Newton, an officer previously involved in a fatal incident. "The plaintiffs were deeply disturbed to learn that the officer responsible had previously taken another life, and they all believe he should no longer serve in law enforcement. I am in agreement with my clients,” Picerno said.
Read MoreJuly 28, 2025
“I was expecting to hear some hard evidence – direct evidence of either of these guys disturbing the drugs or handing drugs to the three deceased people,” John Picerno, the Lawyer for Jordan Willis, said.
Read MoreJuly 25, 2025
"There is no time frame for the DNA on that bag," Willis' attorney Picerno said during his closing argument. "There is no evidence to prove the defendants offered the drugs to the men or died directly from what was in those bags."
Read MoreJuly 1, 2025
"It wasn't much of a consideration," he continued. "Jordan has maintained since day one he is not responsible for their deaths — he never even considered pleading guilty."
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