KS Attorney Charles W. Thompson murdered December 21, 1987 in front of a Kansas City, KS restaurant

[doublestop]

Four days before Christmas, 1987, Charles W. "Chuck" Thompson, an attorney in Kansas City, Kansas, was sitting in front of Jalisco's restaurant at 5000 State Avenue, thinking he was waiting to meet a prospective client. Someone approached, and he was shot numerous times in the torso. He was active in politics and at the time was Democratic Chairman of the Wyandotte County Central Committee.

The investigation led to the conclusion that it was a murder for hire. But by whom, and why?

 

[doublestop]

According to a front page story in that day's Kansas City Star, Thompson had received a phone call the day before, a Sunday, wanting to meet at 6:00pm that day but the caller didn't show up. Thompson returned home about 6:45. At 11 pm another call came, wanting to meet then, but Thompson was already in bed and refused. They agreed to meet at 8 am Monday at Jalisco's, which is not normally open for breakfast. (Jalisco's served as something of an informal headquarters for the local Democratic party, so it would not be uncommon for Thompson to be there.)

The owner of Jalisco's and friend of Thompson, Jose Hernandez, heard the shots and looked out an upstairs door, where he saw Thompson's recognizable red Renault Alliance, still running. Then he saw Thompson collapsed on the sidewalk, just feet from the restaurant door. He saw no one else. Thompson was shot at close range and police theorize he was shot either through the open door or by someone in the car.

 

[doublestop]

At the time of his death, Thompson had served for about 7 years as a lawyer for the Kansas City, Kansas Right of Way Department, which was a controversial decision as it was seen by some as a political reward. Could that make someone mad enough to kill?