KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A judge entered a not guilty plea Friday for the man accused in the killing of a western Missouri police officer during a traffic stop.
Ian McCarthy, 39, of Clinton appeared via video at the Henry County Courthouse to answer charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Officer Gary Michael in Clinton. McCarthy’s next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 20.
Investigators say Michael was killed when the driver of a car he stopped for a traffic violation Sunday jumped out and shot him. The suspect drove away, crashing a few blocks from the scene of the shooting then fleeing on foot. Michael was able to return fire. McCarthy was arrested walking on a road after a two-day manhunt.
Michael, 39, was the first police officer killed in the line of duty in Clinton, a town of about 9,000 residents about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City. His visitation was scheduled in Clinton Friday and the funeral will be Saturday.
A second man, William Noble, 35, of Clinton, was charged Thursday with felony tampering with evidence after prosecutors alleged he supplied the weapon used to kill Michael.