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Independence man found guilty in 2017 death of mother's fiancé

Posted at 8:14 PM, Sep 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-12 21:14:17-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An Independence man was found guilty on Thursday in the 2017 death of his mother’s fiancé, according to Jackson County prosecutors.

A jury found William Miller-Kirkland, 28, guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Teddis Burns-El.

According to court documents, a woman called 911 on Dec. 28, 2017, and said that her son had shot her fiancé in the 1400 block of North Osage Street.

The woman told police she woke up to loud banging and screaming outside and found Miller-Kirland banging on her door. She said he was intoxicated and shouting at Burns-El.

The woman said when she tried to take a gun away from Miller-Kirkland, he shot Burns-El, striking him in the arm. He then fired several more shots while standing over him, according to court documents.

Miller-Kirkland fled after the shooting and was taken into custody after a short police pursuit. He told police that Burns-El pulled out a gun when he stopped by to see his mother, according to court documents.