PRESS RELEASE:
A man who pleaded guilty to assaulting two KCPD officers and skipped out on his original sentencing date is again set to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 13, in Division 15 at the Jackson County Courthouse.
On Sept. 18, 2006, two officers said they saw Thomas Fitzwater run a red light and T-bone a car. The officers caught up to Fitzwater at 31st and Main streets. Officer Steven Bloch and his partner said Fitzwater turned his truck toward their police car, struck them, and plowed their car into the Bank of America building. The officers were hurt but managed to get out of the car and arrest Fitzwater. Fitzwater was intoxicated and had drugs in his pocket. He also was out parole for a first-degree assault charge when the wreck occurred.
Fitzwater, 46, pleaded guilty on June 29, 2009, to two felony counts of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest and felony possession of a controlled substance. He had posted bond and was set to be sentenced Aug. 24, but he didn’t show up. He was later arrested on a warrant for failure to appear, but he posted a $50,000 cash bond on Oct. 6 and was released again.
Fitzwater faces 5 to 15 years in prison for each count of assault on a law enforcement officer.
