Bryan Sheppard's life sentence ruled unconstitutional
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —A U.S. Supreme Court ruling could end the life prison sentence for one of the people convicted in the 1988 fire that killed six Kansas City firefighters.
Bryan Sheppard, who was one of five people convicted of starting a fire at a construction site near 87th Street and U.S. Highway 71 more than 27 years ago, was 17 at the time. The fire triggered a massive explosion that killed six firefighters who came to the scene to put it out.
The court ruled Monday that it’s unconstitutional to sentence someone under the age of 18 to life without parole.
“He was a troublemaker. Got into all kinds of trouble. Dropped out of school. Got into fights. Been to jail once before,” said Andrew Johnson, who befriended Sheppard and now works for his release.
The convictions of Sheppard and the four others is controversial.
Johnson said the deaths of the six firefighters were awful.
“I think it’s equally awful that these five people who do not have any physical evidence against them (and who) have alibis, witnesses that support the alibis, end up being convicted of this crime,” Johnson said.