Jackson County Prosecutor reflects on first 90 days, looks ahead to big issues

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson reflected with KCTV after 90 days in office.

Since January, her office has charged, convicted, or secured guilty pleas in 31 different criminal cases.

“I’m really proud of the work we’ve done,” Johnson said. “We are setting the tone; we are not shying away from ability. We are being tough on property crime; we are leveraging our available resources to hold individuals able, but that cannot be it, and it will not do the job for our children.”

According to the Kansas City Police Daily Homicide Analysis, there have been 39 homicides so far this year. At this time last year, there were 32.

“We are not taking a victory lap, we are not resting on our laurels, and we are going to keep pressing forward,” Johnson said.

KCTV5 asked Johnson what has happened in these 90 days that is helping keep our community safe. Right off the bat, she mentioned that domestic violence and drug dealing cases are now being sent straight to her office in hopes of breaking cycles.

“The theory behind that is the more that we can get out in front of these things before a loss of life happens, before serious bodily injury happens, the better off our community will be,” Johnson said.

Johnson also highlighted the Crime Strategies Unit, which works in partnership with SAVE KC and focuses on group violence, property crimes, and repeat offenders.

“Making sure that we have a dedicated set of attorneys that are handling all those cases so they understand the full scope of someone’s criminal history so they can use that and advocate to a judge for a stricter bond,” Johnson said.

Victim advocacy has also been a huge part of these 90 days and the creation of a ‘clothing closet’ that is available for witnesses and victims as they head into court.

“To make sure that they feel confident enough to go into a courtroom and do one of the most difficult tasks you can ask someone to do,” Johnson said. “Not only are they testifying and looking at the accused, they actually once loved them.”

Looking ahead, Johnson said that one of her biggest focuses is reducing domestic violence cases.

“Especially since one in three homicides that’s happened in the Kansas City area this year has had a domestic violence Nexis,” Johnson said.

KCTV5 spoke to the family of Shelli Perrey, a woman who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend of 26 years Tuesday night.

“She went to go get a restraining order, and when he was served yesterday, it was some kind of restraining order that he didn’t have to leave, and the police just left, and as soon as they did, he went in and shot her twice,” said Danelle Leighty, Perrey’s daughter.

Leighty said officials need to take domestic violence more seriously. KCTV5 brought that concern to Johnson.

“I hear her loud and clear,” Johnson said.

When Johnson first took office, she sent out a letter to law enforcement saying, “We must strengthen our response to serious domestic violence cases.”

“I want her to know that that’s exactly why we are trying to do what we are doing, to try and prevent other instances like that,” Johnson said.

While Johnson continues to crack down on repeat offenders, implement harsher sentences, and beef up community relationships, she also said the community can be a part of the solution.

“I call on the community, I call on the service providers, I call on the founders that work in this space to continue to pour resources into getting out in front of this because the only good crime that exists is the one prevented before it even happens,” Johnson said.

As always, Johnson said if you see something, please say something.

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