Kansas City Man Convicted in Double Homicide Case

KANSAS CITY — A jury last week found Cleon D. White, a 36-year-old man from Kansas City, guilty of two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker confirmed the conviction.

The case dates back to August 2020 when Kansas City police officers responded to a reported shooting in the 2700 block of Guinotte Avenue. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the lifeless bodies of two young men, identified as 23-year-old Jahmiere Green and 27-year-old Brandon Rainey, inside a gold Honda.

Video surveillance footage captured the victims’ vehicle being trailed by a white SUV on Guinotte Avenue. The SUV then positioned itself beside the victims’ car, causing it to slowly come to a halt. The SUV left the scene momentarily, and upon its return, no visible activity was observed. Detectives later determined that the SUV returned to a nearby parking lot on East Third Street, matching the description of a man seen meeting with one of the victims shortly before the fatal incident.

Further investigation revealed crucial evidence as detectives obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s phone. The search yielded a vehicle with distinctive markings on the windshield, which matched the surveillance video from the day of the double homicide. The prosecution presented this evidence during the trial, leading to the conviction of Cleon D. White.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for March 14, where the court will determine the appropriate punishment for the crimes committed by White.