Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker Overseeing Massive Backlog

In a year plagued by record homicides, prosecutors should be working overtime to ensure that violent criminals are removed from our streets and held accountable for their crimes. This week, an independent report noted that Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office is consistently sitting on a backlog of over 20 cases.

The report notes that in most of these cases a suspect has been identified and probable cause has been established, yet these suspected murderers are out walking the streets while their cases are “under review.” Under the leadership of Chief Smith, The Kansas City Police Department is doing their job, but Peters Baker is not holding up her end of the bargain.

During her tenure as Jackson County Prosecutor, Peters Baker has released far too many violent criminals who went on to commit further acts of violence. This backlog is yet another example of Peters Baker’s tendency to favor criminals over victims. Instead of focusing on the record number of murders, Peters Baker has spent the last two years playing politics as the Chairwoman of the Missouri Democrat Party.

It is unacceptable that our men and women in law enforcement risk their lives to crack down on these historic levels of violence while Jean Peters Baker continues to drag her feet.