News Flash

JCPAO Press Releases

Posted on: August 16, 2018

Kansas City man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of bicyclist in 2016

For Immediate Release

Aug. 16, 2018

Joseph Lasala, 32, has been sentenced to up to 7 years in a Missouri prison after he pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree for being under the influence of a controlled substance when he fatally struck bicyclist Anthony Saluto with his vehicle in 2016, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Lasala was sentenced pursuant to Missouri statute 559.115 that allows for release if he successfully completes 120 days in prison. He will then be on probation for 5 years. If he fails probation, he faces completion of the 7-year sentence. Lasala was taken into custody at the end of this morning's sentencing hearing.

Lasala's attorney told the judge this morning that his client has continually expressed sorrow for the victim's family. Members of the Saluto family and his friends, as well as a representative of Bike Walk KC, detailed the loving nature of the victim and their great loss. Some asked the judge to consider imposing a harsher sentence. The judge noted that no matter the sentence, it will not change what happened on April 3, 2016. He implored the defendant to take to heart what he had heard from the victim's family.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dan Portnoy prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.

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.


 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in JCPAO Press Releases

KC man charged in April 30 homicide in KC

Posted on: September 29, 2017

16-year-old KC teen charged in 2016 murder

Posted on: December 23, 2016

KC man charged in Midtown carjacking

Posted on: November 4, 2016

KC man charged in rape of 14-year-old girl

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Charges in Grandview robbery

Posted on: April 20, 2016

Guilty plea in child death case

Posted on: April 13, 2016

KC man charged in KC car chase

Posted on: April 8, 2016

Police officer’s conviction upheld

Posted on: April 5, 2016

Charges filed in fatal KC shooting

Posted on: April 1, 2016

Charges filed in Independence murder

Posted on: March 31, 2016

Independence eluding leads to charges

Posted on: March 11, 2016

Sexual assault of 15-year-old

Posted on: March 9, 2016

Charges in weekend chase, crash

Posted on: March 6, 2016

Sword-wielding man leads police on chase

Posted on: February 25, 2016

Charges in Monday shooting

Posted on: February 24, 2016

Two charged in double homicide

Posted on: February 3, 2016

Manslaughter charges filed in 2015 wreck

Posted on: January 25, 2016

One charged in KC rape

Posted on: January 22, 2016

Charges in Jan. 9 gun slaying

Posted on: January 15, 2016

Messina honored by KCMBA

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Independence murder

Posted on: January 8, 2016

Charges in Grandview hit-and-run

Posted on: December 30, 2015

Solar energy theft involved area churches

Posted on: December 16, 2015