Family of Robert Osborn displeased with sentence in murder

Ron and Rick Osborn with a photo of their brother Robert

Yesterday a Jackson County judge sentenced Fabian Brown, Jr., to 15 years in prison for his part in the murder of bicyclist Robert Osborn.

Today's Kansas City Star features an article detailing the Osborn family's issues with the plea bargain process and sentence:

The family of a Kansas City crime victim fumed Monday as a Jackson County judge sentenced their loved one’s killer to 15 years in prison.

Before Judge Jay Daugherty announced the sentence for Fabian D. Brown Jr., Robert Osborn’s brothers urged him to tear up the plea agreement and take Brown to trial, hoping that he would get a life sentence.

But with conflicting testimony between co-defendants — particularly as to who pulled the trigger — the plea bargain held.

“The judge followed the bureaucratic guidelines,” said Rick Osborn, Robert’s oldest brother. “That was the safe course to go.” . . .

The senseless brutality of the crime sparked outrage.

“He’s shooting at my brother as if he’s hunting on safari, shooting big game on the run,” said brother Ron Osborn. . . .

“This is truly a uniquely tragic case,” Daugherty said. “It defies imagination.”

MoBikeFed's report of the sentencing hearing is here.