Kenneth Simpson was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Officer Herman and is expected to face the death penalty.
On Friday, a jury unanimously agreed to sentence Simpson to death, according to Missouri Attorney General Kathryn Hanaway’s office.
“Today’s sentencing brings responsibility, but it does not end. We honor the memory of two law enforcement officers, one of whom made the ultimate sacrifice and the other whose life was changed forever. We continue to pray for their families, loved ones and our brothers and sisters in blue,” Hanaway said. “Throughout this process, our duty is to pursue justice with care and determination. We honor these heroes by standing with those who serve and upholding the rule of law even in the most difficult of times.”
The attorney general’s office said Judge Craig Herman will formally sentence Simpson on the first-degree murder charge and will sentence Simpson on the remaining counts at a later date.
On Saturday, January 24, Simpson was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree assault.
On March 12, 2023, Scout. Sgt. Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup responded to a disturbance at the Casey Gas Station on Missouri Highway 19.
Simpson shot two police officers and fled the scene. Griffith and Suellentrup were seriously injured and transported to a local hospital, where Griffith later died.
The jury also found Simpson guilty of two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action.
