Capital murder charges were filed against Jamaal R. Lewis,20, of Kansas City, Kan., today in connection with the July 19 shooting death of Kansas City, Kan., Capt. Robert David Melton.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman announced the charges today at a news conference.
Lewis is in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $10 million bond, Gorman said.
A second Kansas City, Kan., resident, DaQon J. Sipple, 18, was charged with a count of aggravated assault, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and criminal discharge of a weapon at an unoccupied dwelling, arising from an incident that happened at Juniper Gardens near 2nd and Edgerton in Kansas City, Kan., Gorman said.
Sipple is in jail and a $100,000 bond has been set, he said.
The two will make their first appearance in Wyandotte County District Court, Division 13, at 10:30 a.m. Friday, said Bill Burns, Wyandotte County court administrator.
The prosecution believes that Sipple fired shots at Juniper Gardens dwelling, and Lewis was the driver of the car, Gorman said. The two fled from there with a third person in the car.
They went to 15th and Rowland Avenue, where individuals fled from the car and Officer Eric Jones arrested Sipple there, he said. Sipple was charged with an additional count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer on Officer Jones, he said.
Lewis fled and went to the area of 22nd and Georgia, where he was spotted by officers, including Capt. Melton, Gorman said.
Capt. Melton gave pursuit, and Lewis fired shots at Melton resulting in his death, Gorman said. Lewis is charged with a single count of capital murder, which carries the penalties of either death or life without parole, he said.
Lewis had run through the woods, with a number of officers saturating the area, Gorman said. He came through the woods and came up to about 19th and Stewart, came out of the woods, and was taken into custody, he said. At the time, he did not have a gun on him, but a gun has been recovered and is thought to be the weapon, he added. Tests still have to be done on the gun, he added.
At this time, the district attorney’s office is not deciding whether to seek the death penalty, and that decision will be made later, he said. There will be a discussion with the family on their wishes, he added.
Sipple is not being charged with murder because he left the car earlier, about 19 minutes before the encounter with Capt. Melton, and there is no evidence that Sipple was involved in planning the death.
While there is a third person in the case, who is a person of interest that police are interested in speaking with, the district attorney said he cannot say that charges would be filed against that person, based on what they know happened at each of those locations.
Gorman said the third person at this time is believed to have taken no active role in the case, fired no weapon and did not drive the car. At this point, there is no evidence to charge the third person, but police would like to talk to him, he added.
Two different firearms were used in this incident, Gorman said.
The shell casings from handguns used at Juniper Gardens were 9 mm shell casings, and the shell casings used to kill Capt. Melton were from a .40-caliber weapon, Gorman said.
When Officer Jones took Sipple into custody, Sipple had a weapon on him that prosecutors believe was the same one used at Juniper Gardens, Gorman said.
“He (Officer Jones) felt in fear of his life,” Gorman said.
Apparently there had been an ongoing dispute involving Lewis, Sipple and other persons at Juniper Gardens, he said.
Police have found no past criminal actions on the part of Lewis, Gorman said.
He said Sipple has past minor juvenile charges including theft, battery on a school employee and disorderly conduct.
The .40-caliber gun Lewis had was purchased in May 2016 at a store, Gorman said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating, he said.
Capital murder cases, such as Capt. Melton’s and Detective Brad Lancaster’s case, take up much time for the district attorney’s office, he said.
Kansas City, Kan., Police Department spokesman Amber Thomas said other law enforcement agencies from as far away as Wichita, Omaha and New York are coming in to help the Kansas City, Kan., police officers to attend the funeral services for Capt. Melton on Friday and Saturday.
Capt. Melton had been in charge of the department’s ceremonial honor guard, and created many of the guidelines that were used in Detective Lancaster’s funeral in May, Officer Thomas said.
She said the police department appreciates the outpouring of support from the public during the last few days. People have brought food, water, cards and notes in support of the department.
The visitation for Capt. Melton will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the Reardon Civic Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
The funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting KC, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kan. Parking will be at the Kansas Speedway. Burial will be afterward at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
Officer Thomas advised residents to be patient and allow a lot of time as the services may be crowded.
A fund has been started for Capt. Melton’s family. Donations can be made at the Greater KC Public Safety Credit Union locations, including the main branch at 2800 E. 14th St., Kansas City, Mo., 64127, or at the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department headquarters, 700 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. 66101, Attention: Chief’s office. Checks may be made payable to the Captain Robert Melton Memorial Fund.