cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23372796

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Eric DeValkenaere will be home for Christmas. Late Friday afternoon Missouri Governor Mike Parson commuted Devalkenaere for the December 2019 killing of Cameron Lamb.

Lamb was shot and killed by DeValkenaere as he was backing a truck into a garage at his home. DeValkenaere’s attorneys argued the detective and his partner were doing their jobs, following up on reports that Lamb’s vehicle had been chasing another car through town.

The attorneys argued that the detectives believed Lamb was reaching for a gun and DeValkenaere was worried about his partner.

DeValkenaere was convicted in a bench trial of second-degree manslaughter in the case. He was sentenced to six years in prison, but his legal team appealed. He was allowed to stay out of jail while awaiting an appeal decision. The appeal was denied, and DeValkenaere was taken into custody in October 2023.