Man charged in shooting of Independence officer, process server files motion to delay case
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A man accused of shooting and killing an Independence police officer and Jackson County process server wants to delay his court proceedings.
According to a motion filed by Larry Acree’s lawyer, Acree “needs surgery before he could be reasonably expected of participating in his own defense.
The motion was filed last Thursday. A judge has yet to rule on the motion.
Acree, 70, who faces 18 criminal counts related to the death of IPD Officer Cody Allen and Jackson County process server Drexel Mack.
Clay County deputies arrest man with enough fentanyl to kill thousands
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office notified the 16th Circuit Court back in May that it’s seeking the death penalty against Acree.
Acree faces two counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of first-degree assault and nine counts of armed criminal in what investigators say was an ambush on Allen, Mack and others who responded to a home near N. Elsea Smith Road and E. Bundschu Road on February 29.
The shooting was preceded by an attempted eviction. Charging documents say Mack and two others arrived at the home to physically evict Acree and used tools to remove a padlock from the gated drive.
After knocking and announcing themselves, they didn’t receive a response or any indication that the home was occupied, according to court records. They drilled out the front door lock and entered the home. That’s when prosecutors say Acree started shooting from inside the home.
Mack was shot and fell to the floor immediately, court documents say.
Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android
Other process servers called for help, and Independence police responded to the call. When police arrived, three officers entered the home and attempted to rescue Mack.
Prosecutors say again Acree started shooting from inside the home. Allen was shot in the head, court records say, and a second Independence officer was hit in the torso.
Officers returned fire and eventually took Acree into custody. The second officer hit needed surgery.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
