Kansas City Resident Sentenced Today to 17 Years for Three Counts of Aggravated Robbery and Felony Cruelty to Animals Convictions

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces Kansas City, Kansas resident Pierre P. Walker, 20, was sentenced earlier today following his January jury trial conviction on three counts of aggravated robbery and felony cruelty to animals.  The Court sentenced him to 102 months for the first aggravated robbery conviction, 59 months for the second aggravated robbery conviction and 43 months for the third aggravated robbery conviction.  The Court ordered the sentences be served consecutively for a total of 204 months in prison, which is the maximum sentence allowed by law. For the felony cruelty to animals charge, the Court sentenced him to a 12 month sentence that will run concurrently to the other counts and the mandatory minimum fine of $500.  Additionally, the Court ordered him to pay restitution to two victims for their cell phones.  He will be subject to 36 months post release supervision and must register as a violent offender for 15 years upon his eventual release from prison. 

Today’s sentencing stems from a case that began in the early morning hours of Monday, June 6, 2016, when Lawrence Police Officers were called to investigate three separate aggravated robberies and a shots fired call.  The first victim reported he was walking in the 2200 block of Kasold Drive when he heard a vehicle pull behind him and stop.  The victim was approached by three subjects, one of whom had a shotgun and pointed it at the victim’s face while the other two took his property.  The second victim was walking in the 2700 block of West 27th Street and reported being robbed at gunpoint with a sawed off shotgun.  The third victim was walking his dog in the 1500 block of West 27th Street when he noticed a vehicle come to a stop along the curb.  A passenger then got out of the vehicle and ordered him to hand over everything he had.  The victim observed another passenger point a shotgun at his dog and then he heard a loud noise and his dog whimpered.  The victim’s dog had been shot and she died within minutes from her injuries. 

Today’s sentencing hearing was held in the courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny.  The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple. 

*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

3.6 Advocate: Trial Publicity

3.8 Advocate: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

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