Methodists: Stop execution

Dozens of ministers of the United Methodist Church have signed a letter asking Governor Carnahan to stop tonight’s execution of Bert Hunter. A spokeswoman for the church, Peggy Eshelman, says executions end all opportunities for people to reform themselves. The Bishop of the Methodist Church in Missouri has written the Governor asking the execution be cancelled and that a study be launched on whether the death penalty should be retained. Hunter is to be executed for the murders of an elderly Jefferson City woman and her son 12 years ago.