Host Teresa Wilke speaks with Michael P. Whalen, Kansas Appellate Attorney. His record is impressive. He has been involved with over 30 criminal jury trials with over 480 briefs written and over 400 appellate case decisions. Mr. Whalen has appeared before the Kansas Supreme Court 20 times with 14 of those cases resulting in a positive outcome for his clients. He also has had over 35 cases overturned or sustained in the clients favor before the Kansas Court of Appeals.  Michael represents Albert Wilson, a young Black Afro-American man convicted of rape in Douglas County Kansas.  There was a recent hearing to request a new trial because of error in the convicting trial. After the calendar in the middle of our program, Wilke will talk with Latahra Smith of KC Freedom Project about issues of prosecutorial misconduct. In 2013, Smith organized the KC Freedom Project, a ministry dedicated to helping people behind bars. She obtained a criminal investigator’s license to begin advocating for those who may have been wrongfully convicted and to go after corrupt prosecutors. Sorry to say, she’s been hard at work on those causes ever since. “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are…

Let's talk about it! Guests on Jaws of Justice will be Ryan Sorrell, co-founder of Black Rainbow, an organization dedicated to the liberation of all oppressed peoples, and Q and Patrick of the MillerDream LLC.  Black Rainbow grew from  when George Floyd was killed by police, on camera, during an arrest in 5/20.  Black Rainbow was recently involved in a demonstration outside City Hall in Kansas City to demand police reform after a KCPD officer placed his knee on the back of a pregnant Black woman.  Black Rainbow is currently engaged in talk with public officials about divesting funds from law enforcement.  In a gentle way, they are causing the change in the world many of us would like to see. After the calendar in the middle of our program, host Keith Brown El will talk with Q and Patrick of the MillerDream LLC,  a community outreach organization that protested in Overland Park KS in late 7/20,  asking for defunding of police, officer accountability and the end to racial profiling.  It was a nonviolent protest, and four people were arrested by the police.  They are currently in talk with public officials about defunding the police, officer accountability and the end…

Imagine having front row seats to dramatic performances, watching bigger than life personalities and the rendering of decisions that change lives forever.  After 30 years of listening, Connie Solomon will now be the one doing the talking.  The Court Reporter speaks!  We hope you can join us. Calendar for the week of October 26th: In compliance with Mayor Lucas’s emergency order, certain business activities may resume while ensuring necessary public health measures remain in place.  See the FAQS at kcmo.gov.   MON, 10/26 6 – 8 PM Corey’s Network Survivors Workshop – Session 4 Court.   Corey’s Network asks us to please join their meeting to learn how to deal with grief, the media, investigation, court, and moving forward after a homicide has occurred. This is a workshop, not a grief group. They will candidly discuss how to survive and thrive after losing someone to homicide. This will be at the Church of the 4 Corners - The City House, 14300 E. US HWY 40 (40 HWY and Noland Rd) Kansas City, MO Social distance will be observed, so seating might will be limited. Send email to [email protected] if you plan to attend or if you would like access to attend…

Host Pat Bartholome will speak with Annie Struby, Blueprint for Safety Coordinator, Rose Brooks Center.  In Kansas City, the Rose Brooks Center is a crown jewel of service to those who need help because of domestic violence.  The goal of KC Blueprint is to reduce incidence of violence and trauma affecting youth and families and ultimately heal our city - together.   Annie Struby will tell us how Rose Brooks Center is employing this exciting opportunity to address domestic violence in a more effective and comprehensive way that will set Kansas City out as a national leader in domestic violence prevention. We will bring you our calendar at the middle of our program. During the second part of the show, host Craig Lubow talks to Hasna Sal about a glass sculpture memorial that she created for Veronica's Voice for victims of sex trafficking. Kansas City is the crossroads of many things, from the trails that led pioneers west, the country’s rail and Interstate highway systems, to 21st Century fiber optics. It’s also the crossroads of the human trafficking industry. “The memorial was inspired by the resilience and courage of survivors’ heroic struggles to gain power and control of their lives and…

It’s the first Monday of our Pledge Drive!  Here is your chance to show your appreciation to the volunteers who bring you Jaws of Justice each week.  Host Keith Brown El will talk with Cliff Middleton about justice, truth and his father, Ken Middleton.  In February 1990, Ken Middleton and his wife, Kathy were the only two people in their Blue Springs house when a bullet from Ken’s gun ended Kathy’s life.  Ken Middleton was given a prison sentence of life plus for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Ken has always said Kathy’s death was a tragic accident, not a homicide. Middleton, his son, Cliff, and investigators who have studied his case allege corruption and incompetence of police, defense attorneys and prosecutors landed Ken Middleton in jail and have kept him there. Since 1991, Cliff Middleton has spent part of everyday working to prove that his father didn’t murder Kathy Middleton.  We’ll hear from Cliff about wrongful incarceration. We will bring you the calendar at the middle of our program. We hope you will listen. “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” Calendar for the week of October 12th:…

We had a postponement of the Cliff Middleton interview by Keith Brown El.  We will replay: Host Margot Patterson talks with Sister Jeanne Christiansen about the Bakhita Initiative and their coalition to fight Human Trafficking. We will learn about how to spot and report possible cases of human trafficking, what are the most prevalent kinds in our area and more. http://bakhitainitiative.com/ Click on the US Sisters Against Human Trafficking Link After the calendar, in the second half of our hour, host Latahra Smith will speak with Stephen Barbee.  Stephen Barbee has over 20-years experience serving the homeless, the disadvantaged and the reentry population as a case worker, outreach worker, mentor and group facilitator.  Stephen Barbee currently serves at Village Initiative, Inc. a Family Life Resource Center in Kansas City Kansas.  Their mission is helping returning citizens (ex-offenders) and their families rebuild their lives as they endeavor to reintegrate back into society to become productive citizens. We hope you will listen. “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” Calendar for the week of October 5th: In compliance with the latest version of Mayor Lucas’s emergency order, certain business activities may resume while ensuring necessary…

Exoneration and Innocence - Darryl Burton, Dennis Frist and Alvin Kirksey-Bey Co-hosts Macy Jones and David Bell talk to two exonerees, Darryl Burton and Dennis Frist and Alvin Kirksey-Bey an innocent man who served his sentence in full. Darryl Burton was exonerated after24 years of wrongful incarceration, Dennis Frist served 12 years before his conviction was overturned and Alvin Kirksey-Bey spent over 27 years wrongfully incarcerated before being released for time served. Our guests will talk about their experiences during incarceration and the prospects for the others who have yet to be exonerated.

One in 4 women and one in 10 men experience domestic violence which can take various forms including physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse. For our show on September 28th, we will feature host Pat Bartholome’s  interview with Dr. Sara Brammer, Director, and Andrea Raya, MSW, Program Manager, both of Synergy Services, Inc.  Synergy Services began in 1970 as Synergy House, the only shelter for runaway and homeless youth in western Missouri. Through the years they have expanded the organization’s reach to include young children and women victimized by domestic abuse. People of all races, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic classes, and religions experience domestic violence. However, economic instability, unsafe housing, neighborhood violence, and lack of safe stable childcare and social support can worsen already tenuous situations. Synergy provides services which empower clients to find and choose good options for future safety and success. They provide supportive services to families in crisis to prevent violence. Additionally, they focus on community education to build a safer and more humane society.   JoJ is proud to be a megaphone for Synergy Services. https://www.synergyservices.org/ After the calendar, in the second half of our hour, we will replay host Melvin Merritt’s interview of Jamie Powell,…

Host David Bell speaks with KCPD Chief Rick Smith. Richard C. Smith was sworn in as the 45th Chief of Police of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department on August 15, 2017.  He joined KCPD as an officer in 1988. As he worked his way up the ranks, he has had assignments in three different patrol divisions, the Robbery and Homicide Units, Tactical Response Teams, Planning and Research Division and Kansas City No Violence Alliance. Most recently he had been assigned as commander of the East and Central Patrol Divisions. Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Chief Smith has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Park University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Missouri. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. David Bell and Chief Smith will discuss the actions of the KCPD in response to that Sunday in May 2020 when hundreds of BLM protesters gathered near the Country Club Plaza. They will discuss changes in police oversight.  They will discuss policing  in the 21st century.  We hope you will listen. “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”  Calendar of Events 9-21-20 Today…

For our show on September 14th, Ricky Kidd will be talking to Teresa Wilke.  After 23 years of wrongful incarceration, August 15, 2020 was the one-year anniversary of the date Ricky Kidd regained his deserved freedom.  To acknowledge this milestone, he embarked on a cross-country tour - Freedom Lap 2020.  At each stop, he recorded an event, interview, or met with organizations and press.  Freedom Lap 2020 was a Facebook Live event.  Ricky shares insight from his days on the road during Freedom Lap 2020 to raise awareness of the important issue of wrongful convictions. We hope you will be so intrigued by our interview with Ricky Kidd that you indulge in the entire live-streamed event! https://www.resiliencemode.com/take-action During the second half of our program, we replay our 7/20 show when host Pat Bartholome spoke with representatives of the KC Star about a new gun violence initiative. We hope you will listen. Calendar for the week of September 14th: In compliance with the latest version of Mayor Lucas’s emergency order, certain business activities may resume while ensuring necessary public health measures remain in place.  See the FAQS at kcmo.gov. MON, Sept. 14th 6:30 PM Wyandotte County Virtual Meeting, Online event. Moms…