Capital murder cases involving law enforcement killed in the line of duty are having a year on both sides of the state line.

Wyandotte County is pursuing two cases for the killings of Sheriff's Deputy Elijah Ming and Kansas City, Kansas, Officer Hunter Simoncic.

Clay County is nearing the end of a quick trial this week. A jury convicted Joshua Rocha, who confessed to killing a North Kansas City police officer, of first-degree murder on day three.

In 2022, Rocha was driving on a suspended license when North Kansas City, Missouri, Police Officer Daniel Vasquez pulled him over for an expired temp tag. While Vasquez approached the vehicle, Rocha shot him multiple times with an AR-style rifle.

A jury convicted Rocha of first-degree murder on Wednesday, so sentencing is the next step in the

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