UPDATE 7/7/23:
JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — Sentencing is set for September for a Clinton man convicted of killing a Clinton police officer in 2017.
Ian James McCarthy was found guilty on July 1 of first-degree murder in the death of Officer Gary Michael during a traffic stop in Clinton.
According to court documents, Michael had stopped McCarthy’s vehicle in Clinton during a traffic stop. McCarthy left his vehicle and began shooting at the officer with a rifle. He then fled and crashed his SUV before continuing to flee on foot. He was apprehended two days later in Urich, Missouri.
He is to be sentenced Sept. 8, 2023, by Jackson County Circuit Judge Marco Roland. The case was heard in Jackson County on a change of venue from Henry County where the crime took place.
Original article, published June 5, 2023:
JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — A man who is accused of shooting and killing a Clinton, Missouri, police officer is beginning his jury trial today.
Ian McCarthy is charged with killing Clinton Police Department Officer Gary Michael in 2017.
According to court documents, Michael was conducting a traffic stop in Clinton when McCarthy allegedly left his vehicle and began shooting at the officer with a rifle. He then allegedly fled and crashed his SUV before continuing to flee on foot. He was apprehended two days later in Urich, Missouri.
McCarthy is charged with three felonies: first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.
On June 3, McCarthy’s legal team filed a motion for a mistrial to remove the death penalty as an option.
OzarksFirst will update this article as McCarthy’s trial progresses.
