No Indictments In Two Deaths After Dispute Over Firewood

A Platte County grand jury declined to indict a man in the death of two men after a dispute over $200 in firewood.

Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd announced Wednesday the grand jury found no crime was committed when 44-year-old Jonathan Lutz, of Kansas City, and 34-year-old Kalob Lawson, of Kimberling City, died February 10 in Parkville.

Zahnd said the two men had delivered firewood to a Platte County home but left before unloading the entire order.

The homeowner's 22-year-old son called his father, then chased the men in his car and confronted them. Zahnd said when Lawson stopped and pointed a 9mm gun at the son and threatened him, the son grabbed his own gun and fired several times, killing the two men.

Lawson died at the scene on eastbound Highway 9, while Lutz died later at a hospital.

The son returned home and called 911 and surrendered to authorities, according to reports.

Zahnd said Missouri's “stand your ground" law allows people to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to protect themselves against death or serious physical injury.