INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Prosecutors have charged a suspect, who says he shot and killed a Kansas City, Kan. man after finding him in bed with his longtime girlfriend. Nicholas L. Cannon, 28, faces second-degree murder and armed criminal action charges following the deadly shooting of Justin Sneegas that happened five months ago in Independence.
On Monday the suspect’s lawyer learned his client was being charged, and for the first time we’re hearing from Sneegas’ mother.
“It’s been extremely difficult, Justin and I were very close,” Linda Sneegas said.
She said her son was a staple in family gatherings, and his personality has been missed.
“He was very lovable and very genuine,” Linda Sneegas said. “He would always come over for Sunday dinner with the family and everything, so it’s a big void in our life.”
Police say Cannon confessed to shooting Sneegas after finding him naked in bed with Cannon’s longtime girlfriend. The deadly shooting happened at the woman’s parent’s house in front of her and Cannon’s four-year-old daughter.
Cannon was initially questioned and released, but now a warrant’s been issued for his arrest after prosecutors charged him Monday. The charge is some comfort for Sneegas’ mother, who remembers her son as a courageous, caring cancer survivor, who cherished his family and loved animals. She’d like to see Cannon exhibit some culpability for her son’s death.
“I don’t have any hatred towards Nick, but I feel like he’s never shown any kind of remorse or responsibility for this,” she said.
According to a probable cause statement, Cannon told police he fired three gunshots because Sneegas was reaching for a bedside drawer where Cannon knew the homeowner kept a gun. Police did not find a weapon, but Cannon’s lawyer, Pat Peters, says his client believed his life was in danger.
“A reasonable person in that situation would believe they were in imminent danger or death or serious physical injury, which in Missouri means you get to shoot in self-defense,” Peters said.
In the meantime, Linda Sneegas keeps a candle burning and keeps praying for justice for her son Justin.
“He (Cannon) needs to pay for the crime in some way,” she said.
Peters told FOX 4 he expects that Cannon will turn himself in to Independence police on Tuesday. Prosecutors will request a $150,000 bond for him.
