—
Jackson County, Missouri, officially has a new prosecutor. Melesa Johnson took her oath of office Friday morning at the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence.
“I have hope that we can address the systemic issues that have long plagued our community,” Johnson said.
Dale MessingHer investiture ceremony made history. Johnson is the first African-American to serve as prosecutor in Jackson County, officials said at the ceremony.
Several speakers at the event called that milestone a sign of progress.
The community also expects Johnson to keep a blind eye toward justice and bring a fair policies to criminal prosecution.
“The way you create faith in the criminal Justice system is through those things that are just and right at all costs, regardless of who the perpetrator is, regardless who the victim is,” said Alvin Brooks, founder of the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.
Dale MessingJohnson promised to be smart on crime, not soft on crime. She plans to hold people accountable for their actions, noting there have been a handful of homicides in Jackson County already in 2025.