Man charged with murder in death of child at 63rd and Leavenworth Road

Tyrone Murphy Jr.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman today charged Tyrone Murphy Jr., 27, of Kansas City, Kan., with first-degree murder in connection with the April 9 death of 8-year-old Jasmine Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was a passenger in a Dodge Caravan being driven by her mother, which was struck by a Chevrolet Impala driven by Murphy, who was fleeing from Kansas City, Kan., police.

The collision happened at 63rd and Leavenworth Road.

The murder charge is based upon the theory of felony murder, where a person is killed during the commission of another offense that is designated by statute as an inherently dangerous felony.

Murphy is also charged with possession of cocaine, eluding a police officer, and three counts of aggravated battery arising from injuries to the driver and two other juvenile passengers in the Caravan.

The investigation of the collision is by the Kansas Highway Patrol, and it is ongoing. Murphy is currently in the Wyandotte County Jail. Bond was set at $1 million.

Kansas City, Kan., police reports

March 18

Battery, criminal damage, 2000 block of South Mill., door damaged, $150 value.

Burglary, criminal damage, 4000 block of South Thompson, furnishings, toys, clothing, Social Security card, certificate, furniture, $6,301 value.

Theft, 1800 block of North 38th, theater system, three televisions, $5,200 value.

Theft, 4900 block of Alma, Honda Accord, $2,500 value.

Theft, 1100 block of County Line Road, motorcycle, $2,300 value.

Theft, 1900 block of North 50th Terrace, utility trailer, $1,465 value.

March 17

Burglary, 1400 block of Village West Parkway, checks.

Theft, 1100 block of County Line Road, Honda Accord, $3,000 value.

March 16

Battery, 10900 block of Parallel Parkway.

Identity fraud, 9900 block of Sloan.

March 15

Battery, 900 block of Lyons.

March 13

Aggravated robbery, criminal damage, handgun, 13800 block of Polfer Road, cash, glass jars, $1,064.62 value.

Dec. 31, 2012

Identity fraud, 3200 block of Barnett.

Faith news

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The Christ the King Catholic Church CYO will hold a fish fry from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, through April 11, at the church hall, 3024 N. 53rd St.

Edwardsville United Methodist Church, 302 N. 4th St., Edwardsville, Kan., will hold its Second Saturday Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12. It will feature spaghetti. salads, desserts and drinks. Suggested donations are $8 for adults and $3 for children.

Grandview Christian Church, 8550 Parallel Parkway, is collecting canned goods for Help 3:17, a local food pantry.

Maywood Community Church, 11201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., will present an Easter musical, “The Price of Love” by Bruce Walters at 7 p.m. April 18 and 19, and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 20. A freewill offering will be accepted.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, will feature the Children’s Choir in an Easter mini-drama, “The e-Bunny,” at the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday, April 13.

A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Parkway Baptist Church classrooms, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 816-753-4040 or visit www.esavealifenow.org.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., is planning an Easter Egg hunt for toddlers through fifth graders at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the church park. Those attending should bring their own baskets. The event will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather.

Members at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., will observe the Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. Friday, April 11. A supper will follow in the parish hall. A “hallelujah” parade is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, followed by an Easter egg hunt at 11:40 a.m. on the parish grounds. Palm Sunday services in English will be at 10 a.m. April 13 and in Spanish at 1:30 p.m.

Persons of all Christian traditions are invited to participate in Taizé prayer on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in Annunciation Chapel on the campus of the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, Kan. Taizé prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taizé, France. For more information, visit www.marillaccenter.org or call 913-680-2342.

The University of Saint Mary will present a student-led contemporary Live Stations of the Cross during Holy Week at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, on the Front Circle of USM’s Main Campus in Leavenworth, 4100 S. 4th Street. All are invited to attend. The service will feature prayer and song, as well as Stations designed by USM art students.