Prosecutor responds to Choi: ‘Our sentencing outcomes have trended stronger’
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson has responded to criticism from University of Missouri System President Mun Choi.
Emails given to ABC 17 News by a university spokesman on Monday showed that Choi has criticized city leaders following multiple high-profile incidents this summer that have occurred on Walnut Street.
Choi has sent multiple emails to city leaders since April 19, demanding the city hire more police officers while calling a portion of Walnut Street “a danger zone.”
Choi sent emails to Seewood, Buffaloe, all City Council members and Johnson on July 27, the day after a brawl occurred on Walnut and Ninth streets that led to seven people being arrested. At least one person was charged with a felony.
That email shows Choi addressing Johnson directly and criticized the prosecutor of giving “violent perpetrators a slap on the wrist” while including five links to local media reporting on sentences for various crime stories.
Johnson gave a statement on Choi’s criticism on Tuesday through email, saying sentences have “trended stronger.”
“We exercise judgment in every case based on the facts and the law, and we stand behind those decisions. The outcome in a courtroom isn’t ours alone to decide — plea agreements, judges, juries, and witnesses all play a role,” Johnson’s statement says. “Overall, our sentencing outcomes have trended stronger, with increased sentences in violent crime and drug cases. We will continue to aggressively pursue serious offenses and seek strong sentences.”
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