Joshua Rocha, 28, was convicted of first-degree murder by the same jury last week in the fatal shooting of Officer Daniel Vasquez. It is the first time Clay County prosecutors have asked for the death penalty since 1988.

Jurors who last week convicted Joshua Rocha of first-degree murder on Tuesday sentenced him to death.

Rocha, 28, had no audible reaction as the verdict was read in a packed Clay County courtroom. He admitted that he killed North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez, 32, during a routine traffic stop in July 2022. Rocha, whose car held several weapons, was driving to a gun store.

Vasquez’s family cried and comforted each other as the sentence was read. Formal sentencing is at 1 p.m. Nov. 24.

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson is expected to hold a news confere

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