Local News: Kansas City man pleads guilty for the death of 12-year-old boy

On March 27, 12-year-old Damian Slayton from Independence was killed by a reckless driver under the influence of the drug Phencyclidine (PCP).

Slayton was with his mother when an SUV, owned by Clayton R. Dunlap of Kansas City, struck a concrete median, causing his SUV to flip and strike the Slayton’s Volkswagen stopped at a red light. This led to multiple collisions with surrounding vehicles.

This marks the third arrest for Dunlap while driving after using PCP.

Dunlap appeared in the Jackson County Circuit Court Friday.

With a guilty plea, Dunlap received charges of second-degree murder, assault, resisting arrest, driving while intoxicated, as well as three counts of driving without a valid license.

These charges could potentially grave Dunlap a life sentence.

“Dunlap has proved he is a danger to the community,” Assistant Jackson County Prosecutor Dawn Parsonsto the Kansas City Star.

Dunlap has 16 convictions prior to those charged in court on Friday.

“We know we’ll have a conviction in this case and can avoid a trial, which offers tremendous solace to the family,” Parsons told the Star. “They’re satisfied there is some measures of justice for this man.”

mlinville@unews.com