Charges dismissed against Wyandotte County jail employee in death of Charles Adair

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The case against the Wyandotte County jail employee charged in the death of Charles Adair has been dismissed.

Richard Fatherley was charged with second-degree murder in the July 2025 death of Adair, 50.

Wyandotte County Judge Aaron Roberts dismissed all charges against Fatherley on Thursday morning.

“We respect the law, but disagree with the decision,” the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The DA’s office has filed a notice to appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Adair died during a struggle with jail employees in his cell, which included one person kneeling on his back.

Fatherley's attorney, James Spies, told KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson the judge pointed out that all evidence suggested Adair was treated with dignity and respect in the jail up until the incident that led to his death, claiming his behavior flipped.

Spies said the state heavily relied on the autopsy report for the cause and manner of death, and Fatherley's actions were unable to be proven as the proximate cause of Adair's death.

"Mr. Fatherley is naturally relieved at the judge's decision today," Spies said. "I think it's really important to point out that there's no lack of remorse or regret for the death of Mr. Adair. Certainly, he never set out to accomplish such a goal."

Spies also told Henderson the state presented the lead case agent from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, who shared the agency had determined no crime had been committed. The agent also said KBI did not recommend the DA's office file charges, only submitting an affidavit of statement of facts. Therefore, he said there shouldn't have been a case in the first place.

KSHB 41 has extensively covered the case.

Family members have continuously called for justice for Adair, questioning the ethical handling of the case.

KSHB 41 has reached out to the family for an interview in response to the news of the charges being dismissed.

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Fatherley is also named along with the Unified Government, Wyandotte County sheriff and five jail employees in a federal lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Fatherley used his work email to contact employees he knew were witnesses, among other transgressions.

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