By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com

CLAY COUNTY — Joshua T. Rocha, 27, who faces murder and armed criminal action charges in the 2022 shooting death of North Kansas City police officer Daniel Vasquez, appeared in court Friday, March 28. His two-week trial is expected to begin in September in Clay County Circuit Court.

During the case management hearing, details were clarified as to how jurors will be selected and decorum expectations for spectators and media. Rocha, being held in Clay County Detention Center on the charges, attended the hearing, dressed in a two-toned gray and black inmate jumpsuit with his wrists shackled. He spent the court time listening to his attorneys and reading through questions that will be sent to potential jurors. He did not speak during the hearing.

During the hearing, the judge took up a motion filed by the defense that sought to limit multimedia media coverage of the high-profile death-penalty case. The defense argued heightened media coverage could impede their client’s ability to get a fair trial. The defense requested only sketch artists be allowed to record images in the courtroom despite the court’s previous order to allow one video camera without audio. A motion was filed by attorney Bernie Rhodes from Lathrop GPM on behalf of local media outlets including the Courier-Tribune in response, seeking to have one video camera in the courtroom with images shared between outlets.

“I haven’t had the best luck with sketch artists,” said Robert Sanders, deputy chief assistant prosecutor for the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. “I believe (a media camera) will not interfere with a fair trial.”

The judge agreed, saying his previous order allowing one camera will be upheld, but cautioned that the jury will not be recorded nor will documents in the courtroom.

“The death penalty is the ultimate act our government can take – it is therefore critically important that citizens be able to see first-hand the process by which the decision is made to impose, or not impose, the death penalty,” said Rhodes after the judge’s ruling Friday.

Rocha’s trial is slated to begin Sept. 29. Jury selection will start in June with potential jurors coming from St. Charles County.

During the hearing, the judge also went through courtroom decorum including the audience being prohibited from carrying in signs or wearing shirts referencing the case or law enforcement.

“We need to make sure witnesses are directed ahead of time,” Sanders said.

Rocha’s attorneys sought to ensure members of law enforcement attending the trial to be dressed in “street clothes” rather than their uniforms. The judge partially denied the request, saying members of law enforcement who would testify can be in their uniforms but those who are just spectating would be required to wear street clothes.

The conversation about decorum continued to emotional displays for both spectators and witnesses.

“Witnesses will be advised to control emotional outbursts,” the judge said. “If spectators yell at the defense or the state, they will be asked to leave the room. If they are removed, it could be for the rest of the day or for the rest of the case.”

The issue of searchable public court records and access as the trial date looms was also brought up. Online court records in the state’s Casenet system will be restricted two weeks prior to jury summons being sent out this summer.

Members of Vasquez’s family were in attendance at Friday’s hearing, but didn’t speak to the press.

Vasquez was killed in July of 2022 during a traffic stop. Rocha was allegedly driving a vehicle with an expired temporary plate. According to court documents, Rocha allegedly said he was on the way to purchase ammunition for the .300 rifle he had in the car with him when Vasquez pulled him over.

According to the documents, Rocha told police he did not want to go to jail or have his vehicle towed so when Vasquez approached the door of the Taurus he drove, Rocha shot him with the rifle.

The accused shooter also allegedly then told investigators he got out of the car and shot the officer again while Vasquez was laying on the ground. The probable cause statement reports Rocha told police at some point his rifle jammed, so he had to clear it, and in doing so, shot Vasquez again.

Rocha’s next court appearance will be for an evidentiary hearing on June 20.