A white former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective was found dead in an apparent suicide Monday, the day his federal civil rights trial was scheduled to begin on charges of sexually abusing black women over decades, authorities said. did.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Roger Golubski, 71, after he failed to appear in federal court in Topeka on the first day of jury selection. According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, law enforcement responded to a 911 call and responded to Golubski’s home in the Kansas City suburb of Edwardsville, where he was fatally shot, but there were no signs of criminal activity. Police reported that there was no such thing.
State officials declined to comment on the circumstances of his death until an autopsy is completed. Federal law enforcement officials told NBC News that he appeared to have died by suicide.
Senior Justice Department officials also confirmed his death in a statement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Clark and Kate Brubacher said, “This matter involves extremely serious charges that should be fully and fairly tried at trial and weighed and decided by a jury.” There are always difficulties when this is not possible.” Kansas attorney. “While the legal proceedings in this case may have concluded, the lasting impact on everyone involved and their families continues. We wish them peace and healing as they come to terms with this development.” We wish them all the opportunity and ask that they all be treated with respect and respect.” Their privacy was respected. ”
Officials did not comment on his manner of death. His lawyer and local police did not respond to requests for comment.
Mr. Golubski was charged in 2022 with federal civil rights crimes for exploiting Black women for sex and incriminating people for crimes they did not commit.
Golubski, who retired in 2010 after 35 years with the Kansas City Police Department, has pleaded not guilty to six counts of deprivation of civil rights. Federal investigators said the case involves rapes of a woman from 1998 to 2001 and another woman from 1999 to 2002 while working for the department. He was also indicted along with three others in a separate case for allegedly running a sex trafficking ring that imprisoned women from 1996 to 1998.
Mr Golubski is under house arrest as he undergoes regular dialysis treatment and could face life in prison if convicted.
Mr. Golubski’s attorney, Christopher Joseph, told the judge when his client did not appear in court Monday morning that he was “disappointed” by the media attention on Mr. Golubski’s case.
Kansas City police have come under intense scrutiny in recent years over allegations of corruption and civil rights violations. Activists are calling for a broader federal investigation, especially in light of decades of alleged abuses under the Golubski administration.
Demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse to demand justice before Golubski’s death was known.
After learning of Mr. Golubski’s death, Cheryl Pilato, the attorney for the man wrongly convicted in the 1994 serial murder case linked to Mr. Golubski, told reporters on Monday that she would thoroughly review the incident. He said a thorough investigation was needed. Federal prosecutors in February asked a judge to revoke his pretrial house arrest privileges, accusing him of violating the terms of his contract by going out to lunch without permission. However, the judge refused to do so.
Team Roc, the social justice arm of Jay-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation, was arrested in Kansas last month for violating public records laws by failing to turn over law enforcement records related to allegations of police abuse and misconduct. filed a lawsuit accusing the city.
Team ROC Managing Director Dania Diaz said the trial will result in meaningful accountability and that the voices of Golubski’s accusers and the community must continue to be heard.
“The truth was always going to come out in court, but today’s developments are certainly a tragic conclusion to a devastating story for local communities that still need answers and healing,” Diaz said. .
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also find additional resources by calling the network formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, texting HOME to 741741, or visiting SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. You can also get one.
