For Immediate Release
July 9, 2021
Jeffery E. Morgan, of Kansas City, Missouri, was convicted Friday by a Jackson County Jury in the 2019 shooting of his wife. Morgan, dob: 4/9/1978, was found guilty of Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Shooting at a Motor Vehicle, Armed Criminal Action, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
According to court records, on June 29, 2019, Morgan and his wife were involved in a verbal altercation. During the exchange, the victim struck the defendant’s unaccompanied motorcycle with her car. As she drove away, the defendant – a convicted felon at the time - opened fire upon his wife’s car with a handgun. He fired twelve shots - striking the car twice.
At trial, defendant alleged his actions were in self-defense. Assistant prosecuting attorneys Eric Hurtt and Audrey McCormick presented the case on behalf of the State. The jury heard all evidence and returned a verdict of guilty on all counts.
Morgan now faces a mandatory sentence of 15 years in the Missouri Department of Adult Institutions on Count I: Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Shooting at a Motor Vehicle. Count II: Armed Criminal Action carries a mandatory minimum of three years confinement, while Count III: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm carries a maximum penalty of seven years confinement.
Sentencing is currently set for September 9, 2021 at 9:00am in Division 13 of the Jackson County Circuit Court.
For more information, contact:
Jared D. Bustamante
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor
Work : (816) 881-3538
www.jacksoncounyprosecutor.com
jbustamante@jacksongov.org