A Kansas City man was convicted by a Jackson County jury Friday for shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend after breaking into a house in March 2021.
Brandon Pritchard, 37, was discovered responsible of the voluntary manslaughter of Michael Utley, armed felony motion and first-degree housebreaking. Pritchard can be sentenced at a later date, in line with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Workplace.
Prosecutors allege that, on March 21, 2021, Pritchard entered a house on the 400 block of White Avenue in southeast Kansas City. Pritchard’s ex-girlfriend, who shouldn’t be named in courtroom paperwork, was together with her boyfriend on the time – Utley – when Pritchard got here inside.
In accordance with paperwork filed in Jackson County Circuit Court docket, Utley grabbed his gun and went downstairs, when Pritchard and one other man requested to talk to the lady. After two minutes of arguing, Utley allegedly instructed the boys to depart.
The lady heard Pritchard yelling, “You recognize me, why you pulling a gun on me?” She heard Utley reply, “Since you got here into my home.”
The lady heard 5 gunshots, she instructed police, then rushed down to search out Utley wounded in the lobby. He allegedly instructed her, “They shot me.”
Utley later died on the scene.
The next day, police positioned the man with Pritchard through the shooting. He instructed detectives they’d gone to the home so Pritchard might speak to a lady, in line with courtroom paperwork.
On March 25, 2021, officers arrested Pritchard on the 400 block of Donnelly Avenue. He initially denied being on the house on the time of the shooting.
Pritchard has earlier convictions, together with one for a home violence incident. As a result of he’s a “frequent offender,” in line with the prosecutor’s workplace, his convictions can be sentenced as Class A felonies, probably the most severe class of offenses.
