For Immediate Release
Feb. 3, 2017
A Jackson County man and woman have been charged in Nov. 27, 2016, burglary and attack of John Rector, who later died, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Mary P. Couts, 11/2/1984, of Blue Springs, MO., and John Lane, 6/16/1999, of Kansas City, each face Murder 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action and Burglary 1st Degree charges. The Murder 2nd Degree charge stated that the was killed as a result of the perpetration of the class B felony of Burglary in the 1st Degree.*
According to court records, John T Rector, dob: 11/29/1932, was found in the back of his residence in rural Jackson County, near Pleasant Hill, suffering from trauma to the back of his head. Jackson County Sheriff's Office tracked down several leads and interviewed Couts and Lane blamed each other for hitting Rector in the back of the head while they stated they were at his residence and burglarized it of valuables.
Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000.
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
mmansur@jacksongov.org
http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.