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

[Niner]

Monday, October 6th:
*Trial Continues (Day 6)/Sentencing Phase (Day 4) (@ 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 porn. Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jury: 7 women & 5 men. 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.
Jury Deliberations began on 10/2/25 & deliberated for 2 hours – with a verdict of GUILTY of 1st degree murder.
Sentencing phase began on 10/2/25. State formally rested their case on 10/3/25. Defense began their case on 10/4/25.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutors Robert Lee Sanders, Spencer Curtis & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Delaney Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Days 1-4 (9/29-10/3/25) & Penalty Phase Days 1-2 (10/2-10/3/25) reference post #119 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-6
10/4/25 Friday, Trial Day 5/Sentencing Phase (Day 3): Defense witnesses: Sara Boyd, Clinical psychologist. Kristina Rocha, Rocha's mother. Tricia Sanchez, Rocha's great-aunt. Gloria Moreno, Rocha's great-aunt.
Trial continues on Monday, 10/6/25.

 

[Jewels53]

Neuropsychologist says Joshua Rocha has autism on Day 7 of trial​

.....
On Monday morning, the defense called to the stand Dr. Scott Bender, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor at the University of Virginia.

Bender diagnosed Rocha with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

.....
Several of Rocha’s family members, including his father and brother, also testified Monday.

Kenneth Waterbury Jr., Rocha’s father, said he was in prison for most of Rocha’s life but stayed in communication with Rocha over the years.

....
Judge David Chamberlain said witness testimony has concluded, and he convened court for the day at about 1:30 p.m. The trial will resume Tuesday morning.

https://fox4kc.com/news/neuropsychologist-says-joshua-rocha-has-autism-on-day-7-of-trial/

@Niner There were many more that testified mainly family.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, October 7th:
*Trial Continues (Day 7)/Sentencing Phase (Day 5) (@ 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 porn. Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jury: 7 women & 5 men. 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.
Jury Deliberations began on 10/2/25 & deliberated for 2 hours – with a verdict of GUILTY of 1st degree murder.
Sentencing phase began on 10/2/25. State formally rested their case on 10/3/25. Defense began their case on 10/4/25 & ended 10/6/25.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutors Robert Lee Sanders, Spencer Curtis & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Delaney Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Days 1-5 (9/29-10/4/25) & Penalty Phase Days 1-3 (10/2-10/4/25) reference post #121 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-7
10/6/25 Trial Day 6/Sentencing Phase (Day 4): Defense witnesses: Dr. Scott Bender, a clinical neuropsychologist & professor at the University of Virginia. Bender diagnosed Rocha with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Kenneth Waterbury Jr., Rocha’s father. Rocha’s older brother, Sgt. David Bell with the U.S. Army. Joanna Sanchez, Rocha’s godmother. Rocha’s grandmother Linda Waterbury.
State witness: KCPD homicide detective Alexis Vega.
Judge David Chamberlain said witness testimony has concluded, and he convened court for the day at about 1:30 p.m. The trial will resume Tuesday morning, 10/7/25.

 

[Niner]

Here's a good article on the trial & witnesses testimony.

Closing arguments coming in capital murder trial for NKC officer

Jurors in the Clay County trial of Joshua Rocha heard evidence from more than 40 witnesses, including family, detectives and neuropsychologists, ahead of sentencing.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Niner]

Jury deliberates if KC man to get death penalty for NKC police officer’s murder

A St. Charles County, MO, jury could sentence a Kansas City man to death for the 2022 killing of a North KC officer during a traffic stop. Deliberations continue, after closing arguments in the trial’s sentencing phase Tuesday.

ca.news.yahoo.com

October 8, 2025
An outside jury, brought in to a Clay County courtroom from across the state in St. Charles County, is deliberating whether to sentence convicted murderer Joshua Rocha to death by execution in the capital murder trial for the killing of North Kansas City officer Daniel Vasquez in July 2022.
[.....]
In closing arguments, assistant prosecuting attorneys Spencer Curtis and Robert Sanders slammed testimony from mental health experts who explained Rocha’s mental deficiencies. The mental health experts described how Rocha’s impairments, including mild autism, post-traumatic stress and low intellectual ability, affect his judgment and decision-making.

Curtis and Sanders urged the jury to focus on the decisions that Rocha made by replaying evidence shown throughout the trial.
[.....]
Rocha’s public defender, Stephen Reynolds, urged the jury to have mercy on him because of the trauma throughout his life and his impairments. Rocha’s defense did not dispute his actions throughout the trial.
[.....]
Court wrapped up with no verdict on Tuesday, as the jury continued to deliberate whether it will recommend a life sentence or the death penalty for Joshua Rocha.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, October 8th:
*Trial Continues (Day 8)/Sentencing Phase (Day 6) (@ 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 porn. Plead not guilty. Bond $500K.
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jury: 7 women & 5 men. 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.
Jury Deliberations began on 10/2/25 & deliberated for 2 hours – with a verdict of GUILTY of 1st degree murder.
Sentencing phase began on 10/2/25. State formally rested their case on 10/3/25. Defense began their case on 10/4/25 & ended on 10/5/25.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutors Robert Lee Sanders, Spencer Curtis & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Delaney Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Days 1-6 (9/29-10/6/25) & Penalty Phase Days 1-4 (10/2-10/6/25) reference post #121 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-7
10/7/25 Tuesday, Trial Day 7/Sentencing Phase Day 5: In closing arguments, assistant prosecuting attorneys Spencer Curtis & Robert Sanders slammed testimony from mental health experts who explained Rocha’s mental deficiencies. The mental health experts described how Rocha’s impairments, including mild autism, post-traumatic stress and low intellectual ability, affect his judgment & decision-making. Curtis & Sanders urged the jury to focus on the decisions that Rocha made by replaying evidence shown throughout the trial. Rocha’s public defender, Stephen Reynolds, urged the jury to have mercy on him because of the trauma throughout his life & his impairments. Rocha’s defense did not dispute his actions throughout the trial. Court wrapped up with no verdict on Tuesday, as the jury continued to deliberate whether it will recommend a life sentence or the death penalty for Joshua Rocha. Penalty phase continues on Wednesday, 10/8/25.

 

[Jewels53]

@Niner

Jury recommends death penalty for Joshua Rocha in murder of North Kansas City police officer​

LIBERTY, Mo. — A St. Charles-based jury recommended Joshua Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Ofc. Daniel Vasquez.

Jurors needed less than a day to deliberate on the sentencing, in which they were tasked with determining whether Rocha would serve the rest of his life in prison or face the death penalty.

A Clay County Circuit Court judge set a Nov. 24, 2025, date for formal sentencing.

Jury recommends death penalty for Joshua Rocha in murder of North Kansas City police officer

A St. Charles-based jury recommended Joshua Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.

www.kshb.com

 

[Niner]

@Niner

Jury recommends death penalty for Joshua Rocha in murder of North Kansas City police officer​

LIBERTY, Mo. — A St. Charles-based jury recommended Joshua Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Ofc. Daniel Vasquez.

Jurors needed less than a day to deliberate on the sentencing, in which they were tasked with determining whether Rocha would serve the rest of his life in prison or face the death penalty.

A Clay County Circuit Court judge set a Nov. 24, 2025, date for formal sentencing.

Jury recommends death penalty for Joshua Rocha in murder of North Kansas City police officer

A St. Charles-based jury recommended Joshua Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.

www.kshb.com

Thanks! I thought that is what jury would recommend....

 

[Jewels53]

Thanks! I thought that is what jury would recommend....

I thought that also! Smart jury!

 

[Niner]

Monday, Nov. 24th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am 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
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/245. Jury: 7 women & 5 men. 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.
Jury Deliberations began on 10/2/25 & deliberated for 2 hours – with a verdict of GUILTY of 1st degree murder.
Sentencing phase began on 10/2/25. State formally rested their case on 10/3/25. Defense began their case on 10/4/25.
Jurors deliberated on 10/7 & 10/8/25. Recommended death.
Judge Clay David Paul Chamberlain presiding. Prosecutors Robert Lee Sanders, Spencer Curtis & Savina Antoinette Balano & defense attorney Stephen Paul Reynolds & Delaney Catlettstout.
Case & court info from 7/20/22 thru 9/22/25 & Trial Days 1-7 (9/29-10/7/25) & Penalty Phase Days 1-5 (10/2-10/7/25) reference post #126 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...led-daniel-vasquez-july-19-2022.630647/page-7
10/8/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 8: Sentencing Phase Day 6: Jury continues deliberations. A St. Charles-based jury recommended Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Ofc. Daniel Vasquez. Jurors needed less than a day to deliberate on the sentencing, in which they were tasked with determining whether Rocha would serve the rest of his life in prison or face the death penalty. Clay County Circuit Court Judge David Chamberlain set sentencing hearing on 11/24/25.

 

[Jewels53]

@Niner

https://fox4kc.com/news/joshua-rocha-to-die-by-lethal-injection-in-killing-of-nkcpd-officer-vasquez/

LIBERTY, Mo. — Joshua Rocha was sentenced to death by lethal injection on Monday after he was found guilty of murdering North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.

Under orders from the Missouri Department of Corrections director, Rocha will be executed by lethal injection at a date set by the state’s Supreme Court.

 

[Jewels53]

22CY-CR03318 - ST V JOSHUA T ROCHA

11/24/2025

Defendant Sentenced
Count 1 - Defendant sentenced to 999 Years Doc 24.035/29.15 INEFFECT COUNSEL: N No, ALLOCUTION: Y Yes, AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL OFFICER: Y Yes, DEATH PENALTY: Y Yes
Sentencing Hearing Held
SENTENCING (Not SIS) The State appears by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Zach Thomson, APA Robert Sanders, APA Spencer Curtis and APA Savina Balano. Defendant appears in person and by counsel Stephen Reynolds and Delany Catlettstout. The Court finds that there has been no showing of any cause as to why sentence should not be pronounced and in keeping with the verdict of the jury finding the Defendant guilty of Murder in the First Degree and recommending the sentence of Death, the Court imposes the sentence of Death. Defendant is advised of his 29.15 rights. The Court further finds that there is no cause to find any ineffective assistance of counsel. The Court enters the Death Warrant. DPC/jmb
Associated Entries: 10/15/2025 - Sentencing Hearing Scheduled
Scheduled For: 11/24/2025; 1:00 PM; DAVID CHAMBERLAIN; Clay


Sentence
Description
Incarceration DOC
Sentence Date
11/24/2025
Start Date
11/24/2025
Length
999 Years
Text
Count 1 - Defendant sentenced to 999 Years Doc 24.035/29.15 INEFFECT COUNSEL: N No, ALLOCUTION: Y Yes, AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL OFFICER: Y Yes, DEATH PENALTY: Y Yes

https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=22CY-CR03318&inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0001_CT07#charges

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[Niner]

22CY-CR03318 - ST V JOSHUA T ROCHA

11/24/2025​

Defendant Sentenced

Count 1 - Defendant sentenced to 999 Years Doc 24.035/29.15 INEFFECT COUNSEL: N No, ALLOCUTION: Y Yes, AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL OFFICER: Y Yes, DEATH PENALTY: Y Yes

Sentencing Hearing Held

SENTENCING (Not SIS) The State appears by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Zach Thomson, APA Robert Sanders, APA Spencer Curtis and APA Savina Balano. Defendant appears in person and by counsel Stephen Reynolds and Delany Catlettstout. The Court finds that there has been no showing of any cause as to why sentence should not be pronounced and in keeping with the verdict of the jury finding the Defendant guilty of Murder in the First Degree and recommending the sentence of Death, the Court imposes the sentence of Death. Defendant is advised of his 29.15 rights. The Court further finds that there is no cause to find any ineffective assistance of counsel. The Court enters the Death Warrant. DPC/jmb

Associated Entries: 10/15/2025 - Sentencing Hearing Scheduled

Scheduled For: 11/24/2025; 1:00 PM; DAVID CHAMBERLAIN; Clay





Sentence

Description

Incarceration DOC

Sentence Date

11/24/2025

Start Date

11/24/2025

Length

999 Years

Text

Count 1 - Defendant sentenced to 999 Years Doc 24.035/29.15 INEFFECT COUNSEL: N No, ALLOCUTION: Y Yes, AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL OFFICER: Y Yes, DEATH PENALTY: Y Yes

https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=22CY-CR03318&inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0001_CT07#charges

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I wonder when the Supreme Court will set a date. I'll be back in about a month to see if there is date set yet.

And @Jewels53 - a BIG THANK YOU for helping me with this case! Much appreciated!