A former police detective in Kansas, Roger Golubski, died in an apparent suicide as he was about to stand trial for allegedly sexually assaulting and terrorizing vulnerable women for decades. He wasn't supposed to have a gun while under house arrest.
Police found Golubski dead on his back porch after a neighbor reported hearing a gunshot. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation stated there were no indications of foul play. The judge’s order allowing Golubski's house arrest specified he could not "possess a firearm, destructive device, or other weapon."
"We will look into how he obtained the firearm as part of the death investigation," said Melissa Underwood, a bureau spokeswoman.
Golubski was charged in 2022 with six felony counts of violating the civil rights of women and girls. Prosecutors allege he sexually abused them and sometimes threatened them with jail if they didn't comply.
The trial was set to focus on two women who claimed abuse by Golubski, with seven others ready to testify against him. Advocates believe more victims exist who are either deceased or afraid to come forward.
Prosecutors say that Golubski victimized Black women and girls in some of Kansas City’s poorest neighborhoods. His prosecution followed numerous national cases where officers lost their badges due to sexual assault allegations.
"The perception of people... is that had they been in front of the court under similar circumstances, they probably would have been detained," Cheryl Pilate, an attorney for some accusers, said Tuesday.
After his death, prosecutors requested dismissal of the case which was granted by the judge. They had initially sought his detention following indictment but U.S. Magistrate Judge Rachel Schwartz declined based on various factors including health issues cited by Golubski's attorney.
"He hadn’t been found guilty - you know, it hadn’t been proved - so he still... was presumed innocent," Barry Grissom commented regarding detention decisions.
Sean O'Brien noted that although searches occur when house arrests begin, ongoing surveillance isn't typical which might explain how a firearm reached him unnoticed during his confinement period at home.
"Roger´s death should not be considered an admission of guilt," Joseph said regarding media influence affecting perceptions surrounding pending legal proceedings against Golubski prior demise unexpectedly occurring just before anticipated courtroom appearances commenced officially underway nearby regionally situated federal courthouse location within Topeka jurisdictional boundaries specifically designated area appropriately assigned accordingly per procedural protocol established guidelines governing judicial oversight responsibilities duly authorized competent authorities involved directly overseeing matter concerned relevant parties affected impacted consequentially resultant outcomes experienced firsthand personally witnessed events transpiring described hereinabove aforementioned contextually referenced related subject matter discussed previously outlined herein textually documented narratively presented informational content contained entirety complete form unabridged version 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