In the spring of 2020, the life of Frederick Paul Tolbert, known affectionately as 'Lil Freddie,' was tragically cut short. Born on November 20, 1995, in Kansas City, Kansas, he had spent his formative years attending school in Kansas City, Missouri. A young man with an infectious smile, he was known for his love of basketball, music, and making others laugh.
On or about May 2, 2020, in Jackson County, Missouri, an incident occurred that would lead to Tolbert's death.
Two days later, on Monday, May 4, 2020, Frederick Tolbert succumbed to his injuries. Subsequent legal proceedings identified Raymond J. Cage as the individual allegedly responsible for his death.
Prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri, filed charges against Cage, a Black male born on October 5, 1988. The charges included Murder in the Second Degree and Armed Criminal Action. The complaint alleges that Cage knowingly, or with the purpose of causing serious physical injury to Frederick Tolbert, caused his death by shooting him. Under the law, a conviction for this offense would require that at least eighty-five percent of the sentence be served before the possibility of parole.
