Alleged double-murderer denied public defender by Jackson County judge

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Jackson County judge says accused double-murderer Larry Acree is not eligible for a Missouri State Public Defender.

Citing state law, Judge Page Bellamy said the Missouri State Public Defender shall provide “legal services to an eligible person who is detained or charged with a felony.”

Acree, who is accused of killing Independence Police Department Ofc. Cody Allen and Jackson County Process Server Drexel Mack, does not fit that criteria, the judge ruled Tuesday.

“His application for legal services has been denied due to the defendant’s income and/or available assets exceeding their guidelines,” court documents read.

Because of Acree’s requests for legal services to be provided by the Missouri State Public Defender and his inability at this point to “either make bond or obtain his own legal counsel in his behalf, a hearing on the defendant’s eligibility for legal services is necessary.”

A hearing on that determination for Acree is now scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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