Prosecutor: No charges against Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office in KCK man’s death

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson announced she has declined to file criminal charges against law enforcement officers involved in a May incident resulting in a Kansas City, Kansas, man’s death.

According to previous KQ2 reporting, officers responded to an active disturbance between 36-year-old Marcus A. Caldwell and his mother in the area of U.S. 59 and 45 highways on Thursday, May 28.

A news release detailed that Caldwell appeared to be agitated and exhibited erratic behavior.

Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation. While attempting to handcuff Caldwell, he allegedly punched a deputy in the face and continued fighting. He then grabbed a deputy’s gun and tried to remove it from its holster.

Deputies were able to get Caldwell to the ground and handcuffed. They then sat him up and assessed him, including putting water on his neck to cool him down.

During this time, Caldwell appeared to suffer a medical event and stopped breathing. Deputies and Buchanan County EMS began performing life-saving measures. Caldwell was transported to Mosaic Life Care, where the life-saving measures continued.

Caldwell was pronounced dead following the life-saving efforts.

A news release from Davidson detailed that, following the evaluation of all available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, witness statements, physical evidence and forensic reports, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against the law enforcement officers involved in the incident.

“Because the officer’s actions conform to the statutory definitions of reasonable force, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove criminal intent or unlawful conduct beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, no criminal charges will be brought by the office, and the criminal investigation into this matter is officially closed,” Davidson said in the release.

Davidson stated, based on the evidence, the investigation is closed.

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