KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A report released by the U.S. Department of Justice after a records request lawsuit indicated that there may be more suspects in the 1988 explosion that killed six Kansas City firefighters than the five individuals who were ultimately convicted.
The lawsuit was brought by Bryan Sheppard, one of those convicted for the explosion who has maintained his innocence.
Over the years, the case against Sheppard and the four others convicted for the explosion has brought scrutiny. Some witnesses alleged that police pressured them to name those convicted in the crime and have recanted their testimony. There was no physical evidence in the case, so the five individuals were convicted on testimony from others. However, other witnesses have maintained their testimony.