Upgraded Charges in Mysterious Death Case of Three Friends Outside Kansas City Home

Strategic Insights -

Three Missouri men, who were facing charges in the case of three friends found dead outside a Kansas City home after watching a Chiefs football game last year, could have their charges upgraded to include three counts of second degree murder. Clayton McGeeney, 36, Ricky Johnson, 38, and David Harrington, 37, died of fentanyl and cocaine combined toxicity. Jordan Willis and Ivory J. Carson were initially charged with delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prosecutors are asking a judge to upgrade the three involuntary manslaughter charges to murder in the second degree for Jordan Willis and Ivory J. Carson.
  • The upgraded charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison or life imprisonment for each charge.
  • The Missouri men died of fentanyl and cocaine combined toxicity, with a doctor determining this in March.
  • A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Thursday, July 24 at 9 a.m.
  • The group had been partying all day, including drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and using cocaine, according to a probable cause statement.
  • Willis' attorney has maintained his client's innocence and is challenging the upgraded charges before a fair and impartial jury.
  • There is no evidence that Willis bought the drugs that his friends ingested before their deaths, according to Willis' attorney.
  • The Kansas City police found "no obvious signs of foul play" when they investigated the deaths.

Statistics:

  • 30 years: Maximum penalty for each of the three counts of second degree murder.
  • 37: Temperature in Kansas City on January 7, the day of the Kansas City Chiefs football game.
  • 29: Temperature in Kansas City on January 7, with trace amounts of rain and snow.
  • 3: Number of counts of second degree murder prosecutors are asking judges to upgrade.
  • 3: Number of days after the football game that the bodies were found.

Sources:

  • CNN: Two Missouri men facing charges in death of three friends after Chiefs game
  • Associated Press: Missouri men charged in death of three friends
  • Forensic Medical of Kansas: Determined toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine in the bodies of the three men
  • Platte County Prosecuting Attorney's Office: Charged Jordan Willis and Ivory J. Carson with delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of involuntary manslaughter.