Couple charged with plot to kill police officer

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- A St. Joseph couple is charged with conspiring to kill a police officer from Atchison, Kan.

David and Rebecca Fitzpatrick are accused of planning to have a drug informant kill police Cpl. Terry Kelly. Authorities say the couple believed Kelly had given information to the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force that led to David Fitzpatrick's arrest. Atchison is a Kansas border town near Buchanan County in northwest Missouri.

The Fitzpatricks are originally from Texas but were living in St. Joseph at the time of the alleged conspiracy. The felony charges were filed Friday.

According to court records, David Fitzpatrick was jailed in Buchanan County on drug charges in early 2000 when he met a Drug Strike Force informant named John Penn, who was jailed on a charge of receiving stolen property. That's when the three allegedly planned to kill Kelly.

According to the records, Rebecca Fitzpatrick planned to steal valuables in Kansas City and arrange bail for her husband and Penn, who is from DeSoto, Kan.

David Fitzpatrick allegedly drew a map of his home to assist Penn in hiding after Kelly was killed. Penn allegedly planned to meet the Fitzpatricks in Texas, where he would be paid. Court records indicate David Fitzpatrick allegedly tried to buy a bus ticket for Penn.

Penn has not been charged in the incident. He is expected to testify against the Fitzpatricks.

David Fitzpatrick is serving a 15-year prison sentence on the drug convictions. A warrant has been issued for Rebecca Fitzpatrick's arrest.

"We appreciate the efforts of Buchanan County law enforcement on our behalf," said Atchison police chief Mike Wilson. "There is no question about an excellent working relationship between the Drug Strike Force and our department. We share some of the same problems and violators."

Wilson declined to talk about the specifics of Kelly's involvement in the case.