Three inmates’ attorneys argue against setting of their execution dates

by Mike Lear | Feb 24, 2014 | Crime / Courts, News

Attorneys for three men sentenced to be executed have presented their arguments to the Missouri Supreme Court why it shouldn’t set a date for their executions. The Court ordered those attorneys to prepare those arguments in Show Cause orders issued in each case,...

Governor Nixon denies clemency to man scheduled for execution early Wednesday

by Mike Lear | Jan 28, 2014 | Crime / Courts, News, Politics / Govt

Governor Jay Nixon has denied a clemency petition for 56-year-old Herbert Smulls, scheduled to be executed early tomorrow by lethal injection for the 1991 murder of a St. Louis County jewelry store owner. In a statement, Nixon says he has reviewed Smulls’ case,...

Corrections Director cites litigation, pending execution for not talking to Oversight Committee

by Mike Lear | Jan 21, 2014 | News, Politics / Govt

Department of Corrections Director George Lombardi confirms he will talk to the House Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability, just not today. The Committee was scheduled to hold a hearing today to investigate Corrections’ execution procedures,...

Bill proposes moratorium on, study of state executions

by Mike Lear | Jan 14, 2014 | Legislature, News

Some state lawmakers want executions in Missouri put on hold until questions are answered about how they are being carried out. Representative John Rizzo (D-Kansas City) has proposed that an 11-member commission be appointed to study those same issues, and he wants...

Audit will probe Corrections Department execution procedures, drug procurement (AUDIO)

by Mike Lear | Jan 13, 2014 | News, Politics / Govt

Death penalty opponents and attorneys representing condemned men say the Missouri Department of Corrections is keeping too many secrets and could be breaking state law in the way it’s obtaining drugs to carry out lethal injections. The State Auditor’s...