Kaitlynn M. Donnelly, assistant Platte County prosecuting attorney, has been named a recipient of the Missouri Bar Foundation’s Lon O. Hocker Award in recognition of her outstanding trial work in the State of Missouri.
“Kait Donnelly earned this award in the trenches, fighting for justice for victims of crime,” said Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. “Over these past nine years, she has successfully prosecuted violent individuals who have committed murder, rape, robbery, and horrific crimes against children.
“I am pleased that Kait won this well-deserved award and the people of Platte County should be proud that we have such a skilled trial lawyer helping all of us remain safe. Kait is a tough, but fair prosecutor who is incredibly prepared when she steps into the courtroom.”
The Missouri Bar Foundation describes the Lon O. Hocker Award: “This award is given to three trial lawyers who are under the age of 40 selected from different regions of the state: St. Louis, Kansas City and all other counties. The recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated balance between zealousness and honor, strength and courtesy, confidence and respect, as well as other professional qualities. Recipients must possess a quick wit in the courtroom that is supported by meticulous preparation in the pursuit of truth.”
Donnelly, who currently works in Zahnd’s office as a trial team leader, maintains her own caseload of serious cases and also supervises four other attorneys. Donnelly received the award at The Missouri Bar’s annual meeting on Sept. 17 in Branson.
Nominations were taken throughout the state by previous Lon O. Hocker Award winners, the Missouri Bar President, leaders, or members-at-large. The review committee was comprised of three or more federal or state judges.
Over the past five years, Donnelly has prosecuted seven jury trials. Those cases included:
A drug sale case where the drug transaction went bad and a person was killed. The defendant was convicted of delivery of a controlled substance, armed criminal action, and murder in the second degree.
A 20-year old man molested a 12-year old girl at a hotel in Platte County. The defendant was convicted of statutory sodomy in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree.
A man forcibly raped and sodomized a 16-year old girl and videotaped the incident. The defendant was convicted of rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree and sexual exploitation of a minor.
A man and his two friends were drinking. The man and the victim got into an argument and the defendant shot the victim. The defendant was convicted of murder in the second degree.
A man raped and sodomized two sisters, ages 12 and 15 at his apartment in Kansas City. The defendant was convicted of statutory rape in the first degree, statutory rape in the second degree and statutory sodomy in the second degree.
A young man had his debit card taken at knifepoint by a man and his girlfriend. The girlfriend used the debit card to withdraw cash from the young man’s bank account. Both defendants were convicted of robbery in the first degree or stealing and armed criminal action.
After being informed she won the award, Donnelly said “It’s a privilege to be trusted to tell a victim’s story, and I’m honored to carry that responsibility every time I step into the courtroom,”
In 2023, Donnelly won the Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly ‘Up and Coming Award’ for public service. She is also a member of the Missouri Attorney General’s Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force and the Platte County Human Trafficking Task Force. Donnelly has worked in Zahnd’s office since 2016. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of Toledo Law School.