A Republican candidate running for the position of Missouri governor has announced his intention to issue a pardon for Eric DeValkenaere, the first white Kansas City Police Department officer to be convicted of killing a Black man, if he is elected.
“I am making a pledge today – during my initial week as governor, I will grant a pardon to Eric DeValkenaere,” declared Senator Bill Eigel from Weldon Spring. “I refuse to passively observe our streets being overrun by crime, while corrupt prosecutors target our brave men and women in uniform. Eric deserves to be reunited with his wife and three children, instead of languishing behind bars.”
Eigel’s campaign promise comes at a crucial time as he competes against Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in a fiercely contested Republican primary for governor. While Eigel has taken the boldest stance among the candidates by committing to freeing DeValkenaere, Ashcroft and Kehoe have also expressed their openness to considering a pardon.
Just a few days ago, Ashcroft was asked by Pete Mundo at a KCMO Talk Radio event if he would pardon DeValkenaere. This statement from Eigel comes in response to that question.
Ashcroft responded that he would definitely consider it and review any information they want to bring to him. He expressed his commitment to closely review Eric DeValkenaere’s conviction and consider granting a pardon.
During a radio interview with Mundo in February, Kehoe expressed his opinion on the case, emphasizing that DeValkenaere should be with his children instead of being imprisoned.
In a statement to The Star on Monday, Kehoe’s campaign emphasized their long-standing support for the DeValkenaere family, citing a previous interview where Kehoe expressed his endorsement of reuniting Eric with his wife and children.
“Kehoe stands out among the other candidates in this race when it comes to supporting law enforcement,” emphasized Gabrielle Picard, spokesperson for Kehoe’s campaign. She highlighted his track record of backing the men and women in law enforcement, as evidenced by his endorsements from the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police and the Missouri State Troopers Association.”
DeValkenaere’s advocates have launched a public campaign to secure his pardon. Republican Governor Mike Parson, who will be leaving office this year, has also expressed his willingness to consider clemency but has not yet made a final decision on commuting his sentence.
The conviction of the former police detective has become a topic of interest for Republicans who are trying to portray it as a politically motivated case. However, multiple courts have confirmed his conviction in 2021, and if his sentence is commuted, it is likely to spark a strong and intense reaction in Kansas City.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Democratic candidate for governor from Springfield, expressed her criticism of Eigel’s actions in a statement on Monday. Quade emphasized the importance of politicians prioritizing critical matters such as boosting the economy and providing support to working families.
According to her, individuals like Bill Eigel are nothing more than attention-seeking extremists who aim to divide the people of Missouri. Instead of wasting her time on such individuals, she is committed to focusing on finding effective solutions that will genuinely enhance the safety of our communities.
DeValkenaere is currently in prison for shooting and killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb in 2019. The incident occurred when Lamb was reversing his pickup truck into his garage.
The former KCPD detective has consistently proclaimed his innocence after being found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in 2021. He remained at liberty while he appealed his sentence but surrendered himself to prison following the affirmation of his conviction by the Missouri Court of Appeals in October.
DeValkenaere’s case reached a turning point in March when the Missouri Supreme Court decided not to review it. This decision marked the conclusion of his appeals process in state courts, leaving his fate in the hands of a Missouri governor.
DeValkenaere is currently being held in a prison outside of Missouri to ensure his safety. Governor Parson’s office recently released a list of pardons and commutations, but DeValkenaere was not included in this list.
Under the Missouri Constitution, governors in Missouri have the authority to postpone, decrease, or remove the penalties for state-level offenses. Governor Parson has utilized this power significantly more than his recent predecessors, granting over 600 pardons in the last three years. This surpasses any other Missouri governor since the 1940s, as reported by the Associated Press.
DeValkanaere’s family formally requested clemency from Parson’s office in October. Following Eigel’s announcement on Monday, DeValkanaere’s wife, Sarah, expressed gratitude on social media for his involvement in the case.
Sarah DeValkenaere expressed her gratitude for the support given to Eric and stated her belief that his case was a political prosecution and a clear injustice.