Were the Sheppards and their accomplices convicted, and if so, how much time did they receive?

I live in KC, and was 6 years old when the explosion occurred. My home was about 5 miles from the site, and the whole house shook like an earthquake. I don't remember a loud BANG! or anything, just a rumble.

Yes, all were convicted. Each one of them received life in prison without parole. If you think that's harsh, it's understandable, but you have to understand, that the explosion was perhaps the biggest tragedy in Kansas City history, along with the Hyatt Regency balcony collapse in 1980. Anyone convicted would have gotten the maximum punishment.

To give you an idea of how big it was, the KC explosion had over 50,000 pounds of aminomium nitrate, which was the same substance Timothy McVeigh used in the Oklahoma City bombing. The KC blast had FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS. McVeigh used 2,500 pounds worth in that Ryder truck. You saw the damage it did--now imagine 47,000 more pounds exploding at once and you'll have an idea of the magnitute of the KC blast. It was MASSIVE. Here's a quote from the "KC Framed 5" page I linked below:

"The explosion had five times the impact of the bomb that destroyed the federal building in Oklahoma City. It was so catastrophic that one of the two fire department pumpers evaporated. Literally. It was never found. The explosion broke windows and cracked walls for miles around and was heard as far away as Warrensburg, Mo., some 45 miles to the east. One woman, who lived a mile away, told police the explosion bent the car key laying on her kitchen table into an L-shape and broke her dog's eardrums."

Eventually the highway project resumed, and was completed, with the memorial the UM segment showed. But as the project was ongoing, someone had spraypainted on the rocky hillside, "In Memory of the FireFighters" and planted 6 American Flags. A few years later, one of my friends went hiking up there with his dad, and found a firefighter's boot. Creepy.

Also, when the UM segment first aired, at the end, when they would show the 800 number, instead a KC Detective appeared, and said that the KC police was beginning to start the process of pressing charges, but still gave a local number to call. Interesting. About 2 years later, everyone was charged.

Here's a couple of links to the whole story:

The KC Star Report the evening of the blast (back then we had the KC Times in the morning, and the Star in the evening):

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/special_packages/star_history/calamities_crime/12508853.htm

And apparently the convicted seem to think that they are the West Memphis 3 or something. Ugh. However, it has loads of information about the case, the trial, etc. I think it's particularly distasteful to have the logo engulfed in flames. That sure isn't helping sway my opinion. My uncle's girlfriend's son (what a mouthful) worked with 3 of the guys convicted, and well, he was a druggie, and all 5 of the convicted were meth and crack addicts as well. They claim they were easy targets. Um-kay.:

http://www.kc-framed-5.org/

Hope this helps!!

I think it's particularly distasteful to have the logo engulfed in flames. That sure isn't helping sway my opinion.

I don't blame you. It just goes to show that when you present a case where someone is believed to have been unjustly or wrongfully convicted, you have to be extremely careful as to how you present it.

If you are going to publicly complain about such a case, you should always do in a productive manner. That means, you must avoid resorting to verbal abuse or bitter tirades. Not only would such hostility hurt your credibility, but it could also put the prisoner you are trying to help in more danger, not less.

What evidence linked them to the crime? The low-lifes convicted of the killings seem like the only explosive device they would know about is their meth lab.
Also, did the battalion chief and the two security guards die in the explosion?
In the re-enactment, it looked like they were close enough to become vaporized, like the firetruck.

No, the battalion chief, nor either one of the security guards were killed. The chief was in his car trying to radio the firefighters to get out of there, just like in the segment. The explosion blew the car's windshield completely out, back into his face. It's his voice in the segment...."Explosion just as we pulled up in here...get us all kinds of ambulances, and at least a couple or three more companies......"

I've mentioned several times that this is one of UM's most memorable segments for me.


I for one could not be happier that the killers of the firemen are in prison for a very very long time. Harsh?... hardly.

My question though is, what happened to the idiots in the construction company that put the explosives in the trailer , instead of the mandated explosive bunkers? I'm not saying their guilty of murder to the extent the arsonist were but I'd like to know if the company foreman, demolitions expert, project manager and owner had some criminal charges slapped on them beyond the obvious civil infractions that they should have been charged with.. I don't think involuntary manslaughter charges against those individuals would be unreasonable.

So what evidence netted the Sheppard crew?

So what evidence netted the Sheppard crew?
Good question. Very little evidence indeed. The way I heard it was that the Shepards had stolen a bunch of tools from this site. They bragged about it and I guess someone turned them in years later for the theft. Police conducted a search and found items that were missing from the site in the Shepards possesion. The idea is that these people set fire to the trailor to cover up the theft. I don't think they realized that the fire would spread to were the explosives were. If the construction company would have had the explosive material stored properly none of this would have ever happened.

Thanks for the info, Kane.

Damn that's got to suck. Crime does not pay. What's the most they could have gotten for just stealing the tools? 1-5 years? Now they're doing life, all because they set fires to cover their tracks. How ironic that the fires they set ended up sealing their fates. I'm glad they got the right people. When I first saw that segment years ago, I had this feeling that it was a crafty arsonist/demolitions expert that went psycho and devised a trap to kill as many firefighters and police as they could. But, it turned out to be tweakers hard up for cash.

Well thats just the police version. It just so happens that this construction company was having issues with labor unions at the time. Alot of people around here think that has alot more to do with this than the Shepards.

Harsh? They are lucky they didn't get death. And yes they do claim they are innocent though I don't believe them. With guys like these its hard to prove which guys claiming innocence are telling the truth or BS.

That must of been something that you kinda remember what happened. And it was on UM.

This case has been reopened and is being investigated again
http://www.kmbc.com/news/16760328/detail.html

This case has been reopened and is being investigated again
http://www.kmbc.com/news/16760328/detail.html

Good catch, Kane. Thanks for posting.

"http://zinelibrary.net/kc5/"


This is an interesting read. If true the convictions are complete bs.

**Cue Music**

UPDATE!!!!!

Earl "Skip" Sheppard, one of the five people convicted of this crime, died in a prison medical center on July 25th. He had been in failing health for several months:

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1349540.html

Also, if you go online and search for "South Kansas City Explosion 1988", you can view actual news footage from that day (four clips, totaling about 35 minutes). It's quite riveting to see everything unfolding as it happened, with the battalion chief breaking down at a press conference as he speaks about getting to his radio too late and having his windshield being blown out of his patrol car by the explosion.

None of the clips are UM segments, but I don't want to link them due to the warning by TJ on the main forum page. If it's OK, I'll edit with a link later.

It seems the links to sites in this thread are invalid now, so I'll update with some current ones:

A great video feature by the Kansas City Star about the recent new evidence in the case:

http://www.kansascity.com/firefighters/

The new web address for the 5 convicted of the crime, and their attempts for appeals/freedom:

http://www.kcfirefighterscase.com/

(Again, although it is not reflected on that site yet, Earl "Skip Sheppard" is dead now)

And a print story from the KC Star that goes with the video feature linked above:

http://www.kansascity.com/581/story/38883.html

Each of the remaining living defendants are still in prison. It seems the new evidence points to the two security guards as the perpetrators, not the five that were convicted. A lot of the testimony against them seemed to come from people already in prison (that had their sentences reduced as a result), or people who had outstanding legal trouble at the time who said that they were pressured by authorities.

I know the convicted five were not model citizens, and had each been in trouble with the law numerous times before. They seemed like easy targets, and the KC police, while not under immense pressure to solve the case, were certainly not winning any support by having the case go unsolved for nine years.

I'm going to stay out of the debate on this, since it seems, on both sides, the witnesses/people involved aren't the most credible people, even those who have recently come forward with "new" testimony. Until there is definite proof one way or the other, I'm on the fence, and the convicted will probably remain in prison.

Thank you for this update and your insights. I have to agree with you that "on the fence" seems to be the safest place to be in this case until more definitive evidence comes out for either side.

I always did find it strange that the security guards failed to mention that the bunkers which were on fire held explosives until it was too late. But this certainly is an interesting update. I'm also on the fence with this one.

From my short time of running a small business...

In my area, and I assume, everywhere, businessess are legally required to keep their local fire department informed of any flammables and chemicals, including the amounts, types, etc, that are kept, and locations where they are kept on the premises.

One reason it's required is so that if there's an alarm at the business, the fire department will know what they will be dealing with ahead of time. I'm really surprised that these explosives weren't properly documented in the first place, and then not even communicated to the fire dept once the fire was underway.

Can't believe they got them!

I think this is probably the saddest case I've seen on UM. I think the death penalty would have been appropriate and anything less than life wouldn't have been acceptable.

Just published about two minutes ago:

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/crime/attorneys-wrongful-convictions-in-1988-explosion-that-killed-6-firefighters

Apparently there's speculation that one of the site guards might have been involved.

Just published about two minutes ago:

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/crime/attorneys-wrongful-convictions-in-1988-explosion-that-killed-6-firefighters

Apparently there's speculation that one of the site guards might have been involved.

I've been reading up on this case yesterday and there was evidence brought out during the investigation that the female security guard had done the same thing to her truck years before to collect the insurance money. I'd say that seems more plausible than 5 people starting fires to cover up the theft of equipment from a job site.

I've been reading up on this case yesterday and there was evidence brought out during the investigation that the female security guard had done the same thing to her truck years before to collect the insurance money. I'd say that seems more plausible than 5 people starting fires to cover up the theft of equipment from a job site.

I agree. I'm not particularly sold on the idea that all five are totally and definitely innocent, but as you said, it seems one person repeating a past action makes more sense to me than a group of five people all managing to work in perfect conjunction with one another, keeping their lips buttoned for years, and exerting so much effort for run-of-the-mill thievery.

I agree. I'm not particularly sold on the idea that all five are totally and definitely innocent, but as you said, it seems one person repeating a past action makes more sense to me than a group of five people all managing to work in perfect conjunction with one another, keeping their lips buttoned for years, and exerting so much effort for run-of-the-mill thievery.

I also read on an online article that claimed that the five accused didn't even get along at all making even more unlikely that they would work in conjunction to steal the equipment.

I also read on an online article that claimed that the five accused didn't even get along at all making even more unlikely that they would work in conjunction to steal the equipment.

It would truly be something to see four tried and convicted individuals (one of the accused has since died) eventually go free. Like others have mentioned previously, it seems a little like the KCPD might have been a little too eager to name suspects in this case.

It would truly be something to see four tried and convicted individuals (one of the accused has since died) eventually go free. Like others have mentioned previously, it seems a little like the KCPD might have been a little too eager to name suspects in this case.

I'm still confused as to how the prosecution was able to come up with five different suspects for a petty theft that grew out of control. Why involve so many different people if all you want to do is steal some tools from a construction site? Definitely seems like a rush to prosecute, IMO.

When this was first updated I took it at face value, but after watching again I don't see how the security guards weren't investigated or why UM didn't make mention of this in the segment to clear them originally. It seemed like during the re enactment it was almost as if they didn't make it clear to the captain that the explosives were in the trailer but they made it clear to the batallion chief? they may have set the truck fire to collect insurance and set the other fire to cover it up and it went really wrong. Or they had others involved that wanted to destroy that area. This is a tough one.

The Generation Why Podcast (http://raasnio.com/GenerationWhyPodcast/kansas-city-firefighters-case/) has a compelling discussion with a Kansas City Star reporter who thinks they got the wrong guys.

This all seems so silly to me. It would have been so much easier/sensible to investigate and prosecute the security guards (assuming they did it) than these 5.

Most people outside of Kansas City don't know this but there where serious labor disputes going on at this quarry at the time of the explosion. If I recall correctly the company could not come to agreements with the operating engineers or the teamsters. It was literally a day or two after they decided to use non union labor that the explosion happened. Only someone who had worked there would know the trailer was packed with explosives. Officers from both labor unions where questioned but nothing came of it. At this time in Kansas City the construction unions where very powerful . They where notorious for acts like this. I know first hand because I actually worked for them. I have no doubt that is who is behind this

Most people outside of Kansas City don't know this but there where serious labor disputes going on at this quarry at the time of the explosion. If I recall correctly the company could not come to agreements with the operating engineers or the teamsters. It was literally a day or two after they decided to use non union labor that the explosion happened. Only someone who had worked there would know the trailer was packed with explosives. Officers from both labor unions where questioned but nothing came of it. At this time in Kansas City the construction unions where very powerful . They where notorious for acts like this. I know first hand because I actually worked for them. I have no doubt that is who is behind this

Do you think the 5 convicted were innocent or involved with the fire?

I really don't know . I find it odd someone would set a fire after stealing from a job site. The fire will obviously alert people. I also don't think the five convicted had any association to either labor union . Explosives where not suppose to be in that trailer . Someone knew they where in there and lit it up

I really don't know . I find it odd someone would set a fire after stealing from a job site. The fire will obviously alert people. I also don't think the five convicted had any association to either labor union . Explosives where not suppose to be in that trailer . Someone knew they where in there and lit it up

Yes, I agree about the explosives. Anyway, welcome back...haven't seen you on here in awhile.

Yes, I agree about the explosives. Anyway, welcome back...haven't seen you on here in awhile.
Thank you , good to be back

Most people outside of Kansas City don't know this but there where serious labor disputes going on at this quarry at the time of the explosion. If I recall correctly the company could not come to agreements with the operating engineers or the teamsters. It was literally a day or two after they decided to use non union labor that the explosion happened. Only someone who had worked there would know the trailer was packed with explosives. Officers from both labor unions where questioned but nothing came of it. At this time in Kansas City the construction unions where very powerful . They where notorious for acts like this. I know first hand because I actually worked for them. I have no doubt that is who is behind this

Wow.
Knowing that, I have little doubt that this was a labor issue as well. Labor disputes have often resulted in horrific losses of life. From the Molly Maguires to the Battle of Blair Mountain to the DuPont Plaza fire in 1985. Labor matters have a history of violence in this country.

Wow.
Knowing that, I have little doubt that this was a labor issue as well. Labor disputes have often resulted in horrific losses of life. From the Molly Maguires to the Battle of Blair Mountain to the DuPont Plaza fire in 1985. Labor matters have a history of violence in this country.
There where many instances like this in the area back then . I'm sure they just meant to send a messege to the company as usual. Unfortunately the firefighters where killed. Law enforcement went right to the union leaders and questioned them. But they where able to keep it quiet

There where many instances like this in the area back then . I'm sure they just meant to send a messege to the company as usual. Unfortunately the firefighters where killed. Law enforcement went right to the union leaders and questioned them. But they where able to keep it quiet

What about the security guards? Do you think they were involved?

What about the security guards? Do you think they were involved?
I honestly couldn't say . I mean it wouldn't be hard to bribe a security gaurd making 9 bucks an hour working nights . At the same time they where more then likely sleeping in their vehicle . I need to really refresh myself on this case and get back into it .

www.crimemagazine.com/firefighter-case-part-i
Check out that link . Pretty interesting . Shows the original ATF investigator knew organized labor was involved

Here (https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-8th-circuit/1274749.html) is a link to one of their appeals. After reading this, there is no doubt in my mind that they are guilty. Way too many witnesses who testified against them for it not to be true.

Here (https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-8th-circuit/1274749.html) is a link to one of their appeals. After reading this, there is no doubt in my mind that they are guilty. Way too many witnesses who testified against them for it not to be true.
Hmmmm I will have to check this out