MO- North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez shot and killed, July 19, 2022 *arrest*

[Niner]

I don't understand why I can't find his case on the Missouri official court website!

Well darn!
That article you posted was dated 9/16 - so Last week on Monday. So went looking... here is one from 20 hours ago -

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article312149383.html

Sept. 22, 2025
.....
On Monday, Rocha is set to stand trial in the killing, with opening statements beginning at 9 a.m. at the Clay County Courthouse in Liberty. Jury selection began last week, with jurors drawn from a pool of St. Charles County residents.
[.....]
Prosecutors initially charged Rocha with first-degree murder and armed criminal action following Vasquez’s death. In March 2023, prosecutors filed a notice that they would seek the death penalty.


Not much on jury selection - so will look further - mostly about the crime & his confession - but pleads not guilty??

 

[Niner]

Monday, September 29th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) - MO - *Daniel Vasquez (32) No. Kansas City Police officer shot & killed, July 19, 2022. *Joshua Tyler Rocha (24/now 28) arrested & charged (7/20/22), indicted (8/31/22) & arraigned (9/1/22) with 1st degree murder & armed criminal action. Plead not guilty. $2M bond cash/or Surety. DA will seek the DP (3/21/23). Clay County
MO - *Joshua Tyler Rocha (25/now 26) indicted & charged (9/13/24) & arraigned (9/13/24) with 5 felony charges of possession of child . Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection set to begin on 9/15/25. (2 weeks estimate) Jury selection was from St. Charles County, but the trial will still take place in Clay County. Jury members shall be summoned to the St. Charles Courthouse to complete jury questionnaires the week of 8/4/25. Voir Dire to commence on 9/15/25 [at 9am] & terminate on 9/26/25, if not sooner. Trial to commence on 9/29/25 at 9am in Clay County.
Trial set to begin on 9/29/25. [thru 10/6/25]
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutor Robert Lee Sanders & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 to 3/26/25 reference post #79 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-4
3/28/25 Update: Clay County Judge David Chamberlain will allow the media one pool camera in the upcoming capital murder trial. During a hearing Friday morning, Judge David Chamberlain denied the request by the public defenders representing Rocha to “regulate” the media by limiting news coverage. 3/28/25 Update: Amended Media/Decorum Order by Judge David Chamberlain. Next motion hearing on 6/20/25 @ 9am.
9/22/25 Update: Jury selection is underway. Jurors are being selected from the St. Charles area & will be sequestered during the trial that will take place in Clay County. The trial is scheduled to begin 9/29/25 @ 9am. No info on jury selection.

 

[Niner]

Joshua Rocha's defense attorneys, in day 1 of his trial, said Rocha killed NKC Police Officer Daniel Vasquez

Although he's pleaded not guilty, Joshua Rocha's defense team said he killed North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez during opening arguments on Monday.

www.kshb.com

Sept. 30, 2025
After previously pleading not guilty, Joshua Rocha's defense team said he killed North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez in July 2022, during opening arguments on Monday, the first day of his trial at the Clay County Courthouse.
[.....]
In court on Monday, both the state and defense played video that showed Rocha waiting in a chair in the Clay County Annex lobby for about 10 to 15 minutes before police arrived and arrested him.

On Monday, prosecutors said Rocha made a series of deliberate decisions on July 19, 2022, to end Vasquez's life. In his opening argument, Thompson said Rocha did not act impulsively, and that he waited for Vasquez to approach his car.

The state called multiple witnesses — from eyewitnesses to law enforcement and an ammunition comparison expert — to testify on Monday.

Crime scene technicians with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, which led the investigation, showed jurors multiple pieces of physical evidence — Vasquez's ballistic vest, and live rounds and shell casings from the scene — as they testified on Monday.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 30th:
*Trial Continues (Day 2) (@ 9am CT) - MO - *Daniel Vasquez (32) No. Kansas City Police officer shot & killed, July 19, 2022. *Joshua Tyler Rocha (24/now 28) arrested & charged (7/20/22), indicted (8/31/22) & arraigned (9/1/22) with 1st degree murder & armed criminal action. Plead not guilty. $2M bond cash/or Surety. DA will seek the DP (3/21/23). Clay County
MO - *Joshua Tyler Rocha (25/now 26) indicted & charged (9/13/24) & arraigned (9/13/24) with 5 felony charges of possession of child . Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jurors are from St. Charles County, but the trial will still take place in Clay County.
Trial began on 9/29/25. [thru 10/6/25]
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutor Zachary Thompson & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 to 9/22/25 reference post #102 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-6
9/29/25 Monday, Trial Day 1: Opening statements by Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson & defense attorney.
Both the state & defense played video that showed Rocha waiting in a chair in the Clay County Annex lobby for about 10 to 15 minutes before police arrived & arrested him. On Monday, prosecutors said Rocha made a series of deliberate decisions on July 19, 2022, to end Vasquez's life. In his opening argument, Thompson said Rocha did not act impulsively & that he waited for Vasquez to approach his car.
The state called multiple witnesses — from eyewitnesses to law enforcement & an ammunition comparison expert — to testify on Monday. Crime scene technicians with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, which led the investigation, showed jurors multiple pieces of physical evidence — Vasquez's ballistic vest, and live rounds & shell casings from the scene — as they testified on Monday.
Trial continues on Tuesday, 9/30/25.

 

[Niner]

https://fox4kc.com/news/day-2-key-witnesses-testify-at-joshua-rocha-trial-tuesday/

Sept. 30, 2025

LIBERTY, Mo. — Opening statements began Monday in the trial of Joshua Rocha, the man accused of killing North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez in July 2022. On Tuesday, several key witnesses took the stand.

Dr. Altaf Hossain, who performed Vasquez’s autopsy, testified Tuesday. He said Officer Vasquez was shot in the face and abdomen. Dr. Hossain said the wounds were fatal.
[.....]
Allison Bennett, a crime scene investigator for the Kansas City Police Department, also took the stand Tuesday. She said on July 19, 2022, she helped recover evidence from a home on N. Euclid Avenue, where Rocha had been living at the time of the shooting.
[.....]
Rebecca Horky, a firearms technician, confirmed that several of the gun parts (Glock frames, converters, etc.) recovered from Rocha’s bedroom were 3D printed.
[.....]
Rocha and his mother were living at the Ridout family’s home at the time of Officer Vasquez’s murder. Emily Ridout, 19, who lived in the house at the time of the shooting, took the stand Tuesday.

Ridout said she saw Rocha the morning of the shooting. She said she saw him sitting at the kitchen table and asked him if he wanted breakfast.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, October 1st:
*Trial Continues (Day 3) (@ 9am CT) - MO - *Daniel Vasquez (32) No. Kansas City Police officer shot & killed, July 19, 2022. *Joshua Tyler Rocha (24/now 28) arrested & charged (7/20/22), indicted (8/31/22) & arraigned (9/1/22) with 1st degree murder & armed criminal action. Plead not guilty. $2M bond cash/or Surety. DA will seek the DP (3/21/23). Clay County
MO - *Joshua Tyler Rocha (25/now 26) indicted & charged (9/13/24) & arraigned (9/13/24) with 5 felony charges of possession of child . Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jurors are from St. Charles County, but the trial will still take place in Clay County.
Trial began on 9/29/25.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutor Robert Lee Sanders & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Day 1 (9/29/25) reference post #104 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-6
9/30/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Altaf Hossain, who performed Vasquez’s autopsy. Allison Bennett, a crime scene investigator for the Kansas City Police Dept. Rebecca Horky, a firearms technician. Emily Ridout, who lived in the house at the time of the shooting. Trial continues on Wednesday, 10/1/25.

 

[Jewels53]

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer​

Previous testimony from Monday revealed Vasquez’s flak jacket stopped a third bullet.

The trial resumes with closing arguments on Wednesday morning.

Rocha declined to testify on his own behalf.

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer

The man accused of killing a North Kansas City police officer returned to court Tuesday as jurors heard testimony for a second straight day in his capital murder trial.

www.kmbc.com

 

[Niner]

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer​

Previous testimony from Monday revealed Vasquez’s flak jacket stopped a third bullet.

The trial resumes with closing arguments on Wednesday morning.

Rocha declined to testify on his own behalf.

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer

The man accused of killing a North Kansas City police officer returned to court Tuesday as jurors heard testimony for a second straight day in his capital murder trial.

www.kmbc.com

Thanks for this article - unfortunately it is not available over here in EU - per their rules...
Does it say whether State called more witnesses & then rested their case. I take it defense did not call any witnesses? TIA!!

 

[Jewels53]

Thanks for this article - unfortunately it is not available over here in EU - per their rules...
Does it say whether State called more witnesses & then rested their case. I take it defense did not call any witnesses? TIA!!

On Tuesday, defense attorneys called two witnesses before resting their case.

One of them, Emmy Ridout, testified that Rocha and his mother were living with her family in Gladstone at the time of the shooting.

.....
A crime scene investigator testifying for the prosecution said she found a 3D printer and plastic gun parts made with one.

Jurors also saw Vasquez’s dashcam video on Monday.

The footage showed Rocha firing at Vasquez while he was still seated in his car, then getting out and shooting Vasquez twice more as the officer lay on the street.

Also on Tuesday, the doctor who performed the autopsy testified.

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer

The man accused of killing a North Kansas City police officer returned to court Tuesday as jurors heard testimony for a second straight day in his capital murder trial.

www.kmbc.com

 

[Niner]

On Tuesday, defense attorneys called two witnesses before resting their case.

One of them, Emmy Ridout, testified that Rocha and his mother were living with her family in Gladstone at the time of the shooting.

.....
A crime scene investigator testifying for the prosecution said she found a 3D printer and plastic gun parts made with one.

Jurors also saw Vasquez’s dashcam video on Monday.

The footage showed Rocha firing at Vasquez while he was still seated in his car, then getting out and shooting Vasquez twice more as the officer lay on the street.

Also on Tuesday, the doctor who performed the autopsy testified.

Jury nears deliberations in trial for killing of North Kansas City officer

The man accused of killing a North Kansas City police officer returned to court Tuesday as jurors heard testimony for a second straight day in his capital murder trial.

www.kmbc.com

Okay - I see the last two witnesses I have for the State should be the defense.

And thank you for this info!

 

[Jewels53]

@Niner

Trial paused for man accused of killing North Kansas City officer​

Defense attorney Stephen Reynolds entered a motion for a mistrial and continuance Wednesday morning. He said Rocha’s second defense attorney had been excused from the case after the sudden and unexpected death of a family member Tuesday evening.

Reynolds argued that it is common practice for two attorneys to represent someone in a capital murder trial. He said, in order to ensure Rocha’s right to a fair trial, it would be best to declare a mistrial and reschedule the trial for a later date.

...
The judge denied the motion Wednesday morning but dismissed the court for the day to give the defense time to make adjustments.

...

Judge David Chamberlain:
He said the trial will continue with closing arguments Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

https://fox4kc.com/news/trial-paused-for-man-accused-of-killing-north-kansas-city-officer/

 

[Niner]

Thursday, October 2nd:
*Trial Continues (Day 3)-CLOSING ARGUMENTS/VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9am CT) - MO - *Daniel Vasquez (32) No. Kansas City Police officer shot & killed, July 19, 2022. *Joshua Tyler Rocha (24/now 28) arrested & charged (7/20/22), indicted (8/31/22) & arraigned (9/1/22) with 1st degree murder & armed criminal action. Plead not guilty. $2M bond cash/or Surety. DA will seek the DP (3/21/23). Clay County
MO - *Joshua Tyler Rocha (25/now 26) indicted & charged (9/13/24) & arraigned (9/13/24) with 5 felony charges of possession of child . Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jurors are from St. Charles County, but the trial will still take place in Clay County.
Trial began on 9/29/25 & State rested their case on 10/1/25 & defense also rested their case on 10/1/25.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutor Robert Lee Sanders & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Days 1-2 (9/29-9/30/25) reference post #106 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-6
9/30/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Dr. Altaf Hossain, who performed Vasquez’s autopsy. Allison Bennett, a crime scene investigator for the Kansas City Police Dept.
*State rested their case.
Defense witnesses: Rebecca Horky, a firearms technician. Emily Ridout, who lived in the house at the time of the shooting.
*Defense rested their case. Trial continues on Wednesday, 10/1/25 with closing arguments.
10/1/25 Wednesday, Trial Day X: Defense attorney Stephen Reynolds entered a motion for a mistrial & continuance Wednesday morning. He said Rocha’s second defense attorney had been excused from the case after the sudden & unexpected death of a family member Tuesday evening. Closing arguments were set to take place Wednesday. Reynolds said his fellow defense attorney had been the one preparing to make the defense team’s closing argument; given her absence, he felt the defense was not adequately prepared. The state argued that a mistrial is not warranted under these circumstances & pointed out that the trial has been pending for two years. The judge denied the motion Wednesday morning but dismissed the court for the day to give the defense time to make adjustments. He said the trial will continue with closing arguments Thursday at 8:30am. Trial continues on Thursday, 10/2/25.

 

[Jewels53]

@Niner

LIBERTY, Mo. — A jury has convicted Joshua Rocha of murder in connection with the death of North Kansas City police officer Daniel Vasquez.

Rocha was convicted of first-degree murder nearly two hours after the jury left the courtroom to begin their deliberations.

https://fox4kc.com/news/jury-convicts-joshua-rocha-in-death-of-north-kansas-city-officer/

 

[Niner]

@Niner

LIBERTY, Mo. — A jury has convicted Joshua Rocha of murder in connection with the death of North Kansas City police officer Daniel Vasquez.

Rocha was convicted of first-degree murder nearly two hours after the jury left the courtroom to begin their deliberations.

https://fox4kc.com/news/jury-convicts-joshua-rocha-in-death-of-north-kansas-city-officer/

Thanks for the article.
Darn - I was hoping the article would say "when" his sentencing hearing is. Probably not in the court site yet, eh?

 

[Niner]

Found this one - Prosecutors are going for DP.

Jury finds man guilty of 1st-degree murder in killing of North Kansas City officer

A jury found Joshua Rocha guilty of first-degree murder Thursday in the July 2022 killing of North Kansas City Police Ofc. Daniel Vasquez.

www.kshb.com

Oct. 2, 2025
.....
The case now moves to the sentencing phase.

Prosecutors previously announced their intent to seek the death penalty against Rocha. Jurors will review sentencing as part of their work and provide their recommendation to the circuit court judge, who will make their final ruling at a later date.

So I am guessing this case continues on Friday, the 3rd? with the sentencing phase?