Settlement conference set in wrongful conviction case

Corrupt police and prosecutors

A U.S. judge ordered a settlement conference in the case of a former Lee's Summit man seeking compensation for his wrongful conviction. Theodore White Jr. is suing Richard and Tina McKinley, claiming false arrest, conspiracy and malicious prosecution. Tina is White's ex-wife who had an affair with the detective, Richard McKinley, who was investigating her case regarding White's alleged molestation of his adopted daughter, according to court records. White was convicted of the charge in February 1999 but later won an appeal and his conviction was overturned by a jury.

Tina and Richard McKinley lost their appeal earlier this year with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. The court affirmed the district court's denial of their request for summary judgment.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer on June 13 ordered a settlement conference for 10 a.m. July 22 at the U.S. Courthouse in downtown Kansas City. White is seeking $100 million in punitive and compensatory damages. The city of Lee's Summit and former Police Chief Ken Conlee were dismissed from the case in September 2006 as part of an indemnification agreement.

Richard McKinley is covered by the city's insurance coverage, which through MARCIT has an annual program liability limit of $15 million. Richard McKinley was a Lee's Summit detective at the time and is now a Lee's Summit patrol officer.

A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 18 before Judge Nanette Laughrey in U.S. District Court for the Western District in downtown Kansas City.

Original report here

A background document from 2004 below:

Theodore White, Jr. has had two trials thus far, at a considerable cost to the tax payers and the White family. In the first case the prosecution failed to inform the defense that the lead investigator in the case was having an affair with Mr. White's wife. The prosecution was well aware that the affair was going on and yet purposely withheld the information. The ex-wife and the lead detective are now married.

A Missouri Court finally allowed Mr. White to have a re-trial and allowed all the information to be heard. This previous case was found to have many issues including: tampering, inconsistencies, false allegations, withholding of evidence, violations, cover-ups by the Lee's Summit Police Department, a lack of professionalism by the Jackson County Prosecutors Office and lies by both the ex-wife and the stepdaughter. The second trial created a verdict of 11 to 1 in favor of not guilty. Now, because of that hung jury, Mr. White remains in prison, the State of Missouri and the White family will endure even more hardship and financial cost. One lone juror (whom refused to even explain his reasoning) is the difference. THIS IS JUST WRONG!!!

Theodore William White, Jr. and his family have suffered for SIX long years. It is time for this to END! It is your duty as Attorney General to STOP this charade. The publicity is so damaging to the prosecution that it will highlight many wrongdoings by members of the Missouri Government. There have been numerous newspaper articles and television interviews with supporters of Theodore White. Many of the interviews have included members of the jury that strongly feel that Theodore White is innocent. You have the ability to end all of this and save the taxpayers' time and money. In addition you will be setting free a man whom was wrongly convicted and has spent the last six years in jail.



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