A Jackson County jury convicted Scott of four first-degree murders. Not guilty on two deaths is an acquittal, and a life-without-parole ask is not a sentence.

A split verdict is a verdict on each count. Guilty on four first-degree murders ends the trial phase on those counts, and not guilty on two does not invent guilt. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, a Jackson County, Missouri jury found Fredrick Scott guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of armed criminal action in the deaths of John Palmer, Michael Darby, Karen Harmeyer, and Steven Gibbons, and not guilty of murder and armed criminal action in the deaths of David Lenox and Timothy Rice. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson's request for life without the possibility of parole is a sentencing ask, not the sentence.

The case is known as the Indian Creek Trail killings. Four of the six victims were found on or near the trail. The deaths fell between August 2016 and August 2017. The guilty counts name John Palmer, Michael Darby, Karen Harmeyer, and Steven Gibbons. The not-guilty counts name David Lenox and Timothy Rice. An acquittal on those two deaths is the jury's finding on those counts. It does not become guilt because the same jury convicted on the other four, and the four guilty verdicts do not rewrite the two acquittals.

Reporting described a trial of about 12 days, spanning several weeks, at the Jackson County Courthouse. The prosecution called more than 70 witnesses. The defense called none. Competency issues delayed the case for years. A delay is the history of the file. It is not an added finding. Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said the office is seeking life without the possibility of parole, with sentencing expected later Tuesday afternoon. Expected later is not entered. As of the reporting used here, a sentence has not been imposed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.