Judge allows one camera in trial of man accused of killing NKC officer
Mar 28, 2025
LIBERTY, Mo. – A Clay County judge rules in favor of allowing one camera in court for a high-profile murder trial.
This dates back to the July 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vazquez. The trial is due to be heard in September. A single camera meant for all media sources w
ill be allowed inside Judge David Chamberlain's courtroom on September 15.
Joshua Rocha, 24, appeared in Friday morning's case management conference, part of the court proceedings related to the capital murder charge, as well as the additional armed criminal action charge he faces.
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Rocha is charged with murder in the death of Officer Vaquez. Court records accuse Rocha of shooting Vazquez during a routine traffic stop on July 19, 2022. Rocha ran from the police before turning himself in that day.
Clay County prosecutors have filed to seek the death penalty for Rocha, the first time the county has sought the death penalty in 30 years.
Attorneys in the case sought to ban cameras from the courtroom to lessen media attention given to the case, which drew national news coverage. The motion to permit a single camera, known as a pool camera, was filed on behalf of six Kansas City area news sources, including FOX4 News, by attorney Bernie Rhodes."The death penalty is the ultimate act the government can do. It's critically important that the public be able to see firsthand if it's called for in this case," Rhodes said on Friday.Next up in this case: a hearing on Friday June 20 concerning evidence, and what will be permitted to be entered by each side, and what won't. ...read more read less