Press conference claim: Jalen Vaden confession to Jayda Kyle murder was coerced

Speakers at a press conference this afternoon at the Joplin Community Events Center, including his defense attorney, called into question Jalen Vaden's confession that he killed three-year-old Jayda Kyle.

"Jalen has professed his innocence," Tracey Martin said, "despite a 'quote' confession."

Nanda Nunnelly of the Joplin Black Lives Matter chapter said Vaden's confession was "coerced. Jalen asked for a lawyer and was denied representation."

She also noted that Vaden, who has been behind bars since December 6, was denied a bond hearing. Martin said one has been scheduled for February 26.

Martin, Nunnelly and other speakers made it clear they think fresh eyes and outside investigators need to look into the child abuse that led to Jayda's death, the events that took place after that and the investigation, which was conducted by the Carl Junction Police Department and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.

The problem Martin and Vaden face is that the outside investigators needed to review the case apparently are not going to be called in by local law enforcement since there is already someone sitting behind bars and it costs a considerable amount of money to hire investigators.

And that, Martin said, is the difference between people who have the money to hire top-dollar lawyers and expensive experts and those who who live from paycheck to paycheck.

Vaden's confession was also questioned by Rev. Darryl Gray, a 40-year veteran of the civil rights movement and former president of the Atlanta NAACP chapter, who said a number of questions needed to be answered and called for an outside investigator, saying local law enforcement's handling of the crime scene, conflicts of interest of those involved and interference from an outside person in the investigation had "created doubt" and left the investigation looking "tainted."

There were two words neither Gray, Martin nor anyone else ever mentioned at the press conference- Judd McPherson.

Children's Division investigators alleged McPherson, who is Jayda Kyle's maternal grandfather, "manipulated" the investigation.

Though he did not use McPherson's name, Gray voiced those concerns and others with the investigation.

Gray asked why "Daddy," an obvious reference to McPherson, the father of Devyn Kyle, was "called first" before 911, why the crime scene was allowed to possibly become contaminated and why people who were connected to McPherson (though his name was not mentioned) continued to participate at each step.

That appeared to be a reference to McPherson's status as a former law enforcement officer, as well as an officer of the court and decisions made by Judge Dean Dankelson, who Martin alleged was a close friend of McPherson's.

Gray also said that Vaden was not allowed to talk with a lawyer before making his confession. 

Gray, who is a member of the state NAACP chapter and head of the state's Missionary Baptist Association, said the organizations would be monitoring what takes place in Jasper County.

It won't just be the state that has its eyes on the Jayda Kyle murder case, Nonda Nunnally of the Joplin Black Lives Matter chapter said, "The world is watching." She noted that nearly all of those who gathered for the press conference were local residents.

"We are not out-of-state agitators. We are part of this community."

Annette Reeves, vice president of the Joplin NAACP chapter, said, "It is a time to take a stand and say no more. It's time for the truth to be told."

Previous posts

Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney outlines evidence against Jalen Vaden
Jalen Vaden to Jayda Kyle's father: I pray that you know I didn't do this to her

Family of accused Jayda Kyle murderer suspects outside manipulation as SMB, GoFundMe shut down accounts

Explosive court documents claim Jayda Kyle's mother turned her death into a social media event

Jayda Kyle's mother to answer questions under oath; defense to add Judd McPherson as a witness

Dankelson refuses to recuse from Jayda Kyle murder case, says he does not have a close relationship with Judd McPherson

Jalen Vaden's lawyer asks for change of judge, cites Dankelson's close relationship with Judd McPherson

Jalen Vaden bond decision delayed, preliminary hearing waived
Accused killer of Jayda Kyle to waive preliminary hearing
Bond motion filed for accused killer of three-year-old Jayda Kyle

Jasper County Sheriff: We are still investigating Jayda Kyle's death

Children's Division documents: Grandfather attempting to manipulate Jayda Kyle murder investigation

Juvenile Office documents: Jayda Kyle suffered bleeding from brain, severely torn retina, probably already brain dead when she arrived in K. C.

Some thoughts on the Joplin Globe's article on the Jayda Kyle murder investigation

Probable cause: Carl Junction man abused three-year-old, left her on the floor bloody, unconscious

Jayda Kyle obituary