A busy day for President George W. Bush in the Show-Me State. Tuesday afternoon, he addressed the 85th Annual Convention of the American Legion, in St. Louis. During his speech to the gathering, the President spoke of the war against terrorism, saying the civilized world must work together to defeat the forces of evil. As for the post-war period in Iraq, the President says the return to normalcy will be costly but he says that return to normalcy is important to America’s security. Tuesday evening, the President was scheduled to address a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Senator Christopher Bond.
State Supreme Court Lifts Death Sentence Against 1993 Killer
August 26, 2003 By
Missouri inmate Christopher Simmons no longer is under a death sentence. The State Supreme Court has lifted Simmons’ death sentence and sentenced him to life in prison. The Court has ruled that since Simmons was 17 when he killed Shirley Crook in 1993, executing him would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The Court made the ruling even though it acknowledges the US Supreme Court upheld the right of states to execute those who commit murder as juveniles. In its opinion handed down this afternoon, the State Supreme Court says it is not bound by that decision reached 14 years ago, because the determination of what is cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment must be interpreted in a flexible and dynamic manner. Simmons had been scheduled for execution in May of 2002. The State Supreme Court at that time pushed the execution back to June, then postponed it again.
Maxwell Announces He Will Not Run For Reelection
August 26, 2003 By
Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell is not going to run for reelection next year. Maxwell has made his surprise announcement at the State Capitol. He says his wife is suffering from a painful and debilitating medical condition, and his priority is with his family. Maxwell says the illness is not life-threatening. Maxwell says he had planned to run for a second term but says he needs to put all of his energy into his family instead of into his political career.
MU Expands Investigation Of Basketball Program
August 26, 2003 By
The internal investigation of the men’s basketball program at the University of Missouri has been expanded. University President Elson Floyd announced has announced that Michael Devaney, who once chaired the Faculty Council at MU and has been a professor in Columbia since 1969, will lead an investigation of the entire program. In a press release, the University expressed concerns of “serious allegations” which have “touched on issues of academic integrity”. Those issues stem from allegations made by Ricky Clemons’ former girlfriend, Jessica Bunge, who claims Clemons got money and had some class work done for him at MU. Clemons, who is no longer with the team, was released from the Boone County Jail Sunday.
President Bush Visits St. Louis
August 26, 2003 By
Raising a lot of money and honoring a veteran are on President George W. Bush’s agenda during his visit to St. Louis today. He’ll honor American Legion member James Mareschal for his volunteer work at the VA hospital at Jefferson Barracks and for his work with a military honor guard that performs at veterans’ funerals. Then he’ll be the star at a $1,000 a plate fund raiser for Senator Christopher Bond. The White House says this is Bush’s 12th visit to Missouri since he took office.
