For Immediate Release
July 2, 2021
An Oak Grove man -- convicted Thursday by a Jackson County jury in Sept. 2018 fatal shooting of Mary Schmitz and the wounding of another victim in an Independence incident -- is now being investigated for attempted escape from the courthouse in Independence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
David A. Harris, dob: 9/30/1999, was convicted Thursday of Murder 2nd Degree, Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.*
Harris is now under investigation for other charges after he broke through the back door of the courthouse in Independence, following the jury recommendation of prison sentences of 25 years, 10 years, 10 years and 3 years, respectively, for their convictions. Harris apparently removed his leg brace in the restroom. He was captured nearby.
That incident is under investigation and further charges could be filed.
According to court records, regarding the Sept. 2018 crimes, Independence police officers responded to the 1100 block of Quail Creek Drive in Independence in the early morning of Sept. 18, 2018 on a report of shots fired. At the scene, they heard yelling. Through a window they saw the homicide victim on the floor in the dining room. The occupants of the apartment came out. Police also found a man in a bedroom who had been shot. He was transported to a hospital. A German Shepherd had also been killed. A little later, officers conducted a pedestrian check on the defendant who was in the area of 39th and Crackerneck. He matched the descriptions of the suspect given to police by the assault victim. The defendant told police that he had been in a fight with the assault victim at the home on Quail Creek and had shot the homicide victim, Schmitz, during that altercation. He told police he fled and threw the gun in the woods.
For more information, contact:
Michael Mansur
Director of Communication
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3812
Mobile : (816) 674-3954
www.jacksoncounyprosecutor.com
mmansur@jacksongov.org
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.