Missouri Executes Man Convicted In Independence Killing

William Jones has been executed by lethal injection for the 1986 shooting death of acquaintance Stanley Albert at a park in Independence. Jones and his attorneys had hoped up to the end that Jones might be granted clemency, based on their claim he did not receive adequate counsel during his Jackson County trial. Jones’ last hope was dashed at 9:10 pm Tuesday night when Governor Bob Holden rejected the request. The first of three lethal doses was injected at 12:01 this morning, and Jones was declared dead at 12:04. His Austrian wife, Gert, was among a group of family members and friends Jones had invited to witness his execution. Her sobbing could be heard throughout the witness area as Jones was administered the toxic mix. As he lay strapped to the gurney, Jones looked at his wife and the others, shouting, “I love you. I love you all.” Jones is the 6th inmate to be executed this year at the prison in Potosi.