Trial for man charged in Independence police officer shooting set for 2026

INDPENDENCE, Mo. — A trial date has been set for the man accused of shooting and killing an Independence police officer and a Jackson County process server in February.

Larry Acree’s attorneys appeared in court Tuesday on his behalf after filing a motion to delay his court proceedings last month.

The judge set Larry Acree’s trial date for July 6, 2026.

Attorneys estimate the trial could take around six weeks from jury selection to sentencing.

According to the motion filed by Larry Acree’s lawyer, Acree “needs surgery before he could be reasonably expected of participating in his own defense.”

During the hearing on Tuesday, defense attorneys couldn’t provide a timeline for medical procedures.

The judge denied the motion to stay.

Acree is accused of killing Independence police officer Cody Allen and Jackson County process server Drexel Mack in February.

Court records show that Acree owed thousands of dollars to the county as property taxes went unpaid.

Acree faces two counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of first-degree assault, and nine counts of armed criminal action in what investigators say was an ambush on Allen, Mack and others who responded to his Independence home on Feb. 29.

Charging documents say Mack and Two others arrived at the home to physically evict Acree and used tools to remove a padlock from the gated drive.

After knocking and announcing themselves, they didn’t receive a response or any indication that the home was occupied, according to court records.

They drilled out the front door lock and entered the home. That’s when prosecutors say Acree started shooting from inside the house.

Mack was shot and fell to the floor immediately, court documents say.

Investigators say when Independence police officers, including Cody Allen, arrived at the scene in response to the shooting, Acree started shooting from inside the house.

Court records say that’s when Allen was shot and killed.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s office notified the 16th Circuit Court back in May that it’s seeking the death penalty against Acree.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.