Missourians against death penalty prepare for first execution in two and a half years

COLUMBIA - Vigils are scheduled around the state prior to the execution of Russell Bucklew on Tuesday, the first execution in the state in over two and a half years.

Two of these vigils will be in Mid-Missouri. The first will take place outside of the governor's office at the state capitol in Jefferson City. The second will be in Columbia, in front of the columns at Courthouse Plaza.

Bucklew was convicted of a 1996 murder and rape and has twice avoided his death sentence. He has a rare condition called cavernous hemangioma, which causes blood-filled tumors to develop in his head and throat.

His attorneys have argued that a lethal injection would cause him to choke on his own blood, leading to a "gruesome spectacle."

Laird Okie is the co-chairman of the Columbia chapter of the Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (MADP). He said there are other things the government could be spending its money on.

"The death penalty is more expensive than life in prison," Okie said. "That money could be spent in prevention, for police, or for support of the victims."

MADP's Executive Director, Elyse Max, said the cost of bringing a capital case to court is $200,000, that's before appeals.

Max also said those getting the death penalty don't always get a fair shake.

"What we have found is that more times than not poor people and people of color are the ones that get the death penalty," Max said.

Vigils will also be held in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.

Source: komu.com, Staff, September 30, 2019

Missouri governor denies clemency in execution case

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has denied clemency for a convicted killer hours before the man is scheduled to be put to death.

Russell Bucklew has a rare medical condition that his attorneys have said could result in a gruesome execution, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Defense attorney Cheryl Pilate confirmed Parson denied clemency.

Bucklew was convicted of killing Michael Sanders in 1996.

He suffers from cavernous hemangioma. He has blood-filled tumors in his head, neck and throat.

A permanent tracheotomy in his throat helps him breathe.

His attorneys said in the clemency request that if one of the throat tumors bursts, Bucklew could choke to death.

The U.S. Supreme Court gave the go-ahead for the execution in April; Pilate didn't say if any last-minute court appeals are planned.

Source: Associated Press, Staff, October 1, 2019

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