The Death Penalty

[Mama Hip Rockets]

A friend of my parents is sentenced to be executed in a couple of weeks for being an accomplice in a murder in 1994. You can read the details of the incident below (written by his wife), and sign the petition if you feel inclined to do so. We are petitioning for his sentence to be changed to life in prison without parole, rather than death.

On Friday, despite the fact that we have two issues before the court, the Missouri Supreme Court set an execution date of Aug. 27. For those of you who would like to do anything to help try to prevent this state from killing my husband, your help is welcome and there are some fairly simple things you can do. For those who are not aware of the facts of the case, here are some main points:Allen Nicklasson, the man who shot and killed Richard Drummond in Aug. 1994 did so on his own after leaving Dennis behind in the stolen car. Allen has been consistent in telling the truth since day one - with his friends and close acquaintances, as well as with law enforcement - that Dennis had absolutely no idea that when Allen walked Drummond into the woods, Allen was going to shoot him. Allen had planned to tie Drummond up so that by the time Drummond could free himself and walk into town to all police, Allen, Dennis and Tim DeGraffenreid would be back in Blue Springs, hiding out.Instead, Allen decided to kill Drummond. His statements to police have been consistent and truthful, but the state successfully kept Allen from testifying in trial. The jury never heard the truth and thus convicted Dennis for first-degree murder as an accomplice. Allen has tried through the years to be heard in court, but the appellate courts denied him that right as well. We are still trying to get the Supreme Court to look at Allen's statements. Dennis is not an innocent victim, but he is innocent of first-degree murder. We are not asking that he be freed. We believe the sentence of death is excessive in this case, and that society would be safe and justice would be served through clemency, which means we want the governor to change Dennis' sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.In addition, Dennis has been actively involved in restorative justice even before the program was established at Potosi Correctional Center. He is the editor of Compassion, a publication written and edited by death row inmates across the country who have raised more than $34,000 in college scholarships for family members of murdered victims. This scholarship goes to family members regardless of their stance on the death penalty. For example, Zach Osbourne, one of the recipients, supports the death penalty openly and is going to school to become a police officer. Dennis compiled a book, "Today's Choices Affect Tomorrow's Dreams," that is distributed for free to juvenile centers around the country. The book has been so popular, he has been asked to do another. That book is currently being compiled.Dennis is chairman of the prison's Hospice group and has cared for many dying prison patients through the years. He is a co-founder of 4-H LIFE, a family strengthening program that teaches inmates to be better parents and includes a family 4-H meeting each month inside the prison. As a former president and officer of 4-H, Dennis has led fundraisers to send money to children's programs in the state and to send 4-H LIFE members to summer camp and state leadership programs. 4-H LIFE has won several awards and is now active in several other prisons.Dennis has actively worked to build bridges between the Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Islamic and Native American religious groups at the prison. He is a founder of the Charity Carnival - in its second year - that raises money inside the prison for charitable organizations. The carnival is today, but he is locked up and cannot carry out his responsibilities for that event.Dennis speaks to university student groups on a regular basis to give them insight into the death penalty and prison life. He is, and remains, a positive spokesman and positive role models for other prisoners.He is a leader in the Set Free Ministry, a prison ministry that works with thousands of inmates in Missouri and Illinois to help them in their Christian walk. The Ministry has grown from an office of three to an office of around 20 inmates at PCC and a second office in Charleston's prison. The Ministry continues to expand in prisons in the two states as well as into jails.All of this is documented, not the exaggerated account of a wife desperate to save her husband.For those of you who have asked, I am terrified, but determined to fight for justice for my family. Murdering my husband is not justice - it is harming me, my son, Dennis' sisters, brother, nephews, aunts uncles, friends, etc. He is my soulmate, for those of you who understand what that means. A date is an extremely serious situation, but we have issues to pursue and this does not mean we're done. Please do not assume that this is inevitable, even though we have a very, very difficult fight in the next 32 days.I appreciate your support in any way. Should you want to write letters, file amicus briefs (friend of the court) with your church or other organization, let me know and I'll give you more info. If you choose to pray, please ask God to intervene and see that Dennis receives a lesser sentence.Thanks.

You can sign the petition at the link below. Thanks.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-dennis-skillicorn

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

I'm interested in the "soulmate" aspect of this. I love my wife, but if she were ever to be involved in murder, let alone multiple such crimes, she would neither see nor hear from me again.

What say you Planet?

I would need to see a picture of your wife first.

Seriously, I wouldn't expect my wife to back me up on a multi-state killing spree. I expect loyalty from her in general, but a multi-state killing spree is beyond the line.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by frazod

BULLSHIT.

You really think that the jurors who deliberated on that sentence are as flawed as a pack of doped-out thugs on an interstate killing spree?

Are we just supposed to lay spread eagle for the scum of the earth and take whatever evil they decide to inflict upon us because we aren't gods?

Jesus can turn the other cheek. I want justice.

Is this eloquent enough for you, Mic?

frazod said it well, IMO.

[Redrum_69]

micjones is midnight vulvas alias
too bad neither can get chicks
even though their moms are the towns bicycles

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan4Life

Are you not included in "those people"? So how do YOU have the moral authority to say he DOESN'T deserve it?

I have no moral authority either way.
I'm fallible and only capable of such much understanding.
That alone should be enough to do away with capital punishment.

[Iowanian]

Originally Posted by Micjones

What does that sense of superiority really amount to though?

No murder convictions at this time. I know I'm not a thief, rapist, mollester, scumbag, woman or child abuser or murderer.

It amounts to my ability to sleep at night knowing I'm a decent human being, good citizen and great neighbor to have because I'm a moral, honest and hard working, father and husband.

What does your willingness to put yourself on the cross with this guy amount to though?

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's a strawman argument. Obviously I'm not licensing the killing of innocent people. I'm simply saying that if we value life we can't arbitrarily determine which lives are important.

The pussification of America continues.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Is this eloquent enough for you, Mic?

frazod said it well, IMO.

Using another man's argument?
Shameful.

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's a strawman argument. Obviously I'm not licensing the killing of innocent people. I'm simply saying that if we value life we can't arbitrarily determine which lives are important.

Arbitrarily?

That is a ridiculous argument.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

The pussification of America continues.

You're right. We're pussies if we value life absolutely.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Arbitrarily?

That is a ridiculous argument.

More eloquence.
Leave the discussion to the adults.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I've had pause....but more when considering picking up a hitch hiker. I've usually got something within reach that will assist in my safety though.

If I have the family with me, I'll not put them in that danger, but if I'm alone and have any time, I'll help.



I'm not in a city....I am in a rural area, and we're taught to help others. My grandpa did it, when I was a kid I watched my dad do it, and I always have. I've posted a thank you because some decent men stopped and helped my mother last year, so I intend to be the guy, that will help when I can.

I understand and I commend you for this attitude. If I'm ever in a bind, I hope you're the next one coming down the road.

That said, I tend to limit most of my assistance to calling for help via my cell when I see someone in need. A woman or young person might change this. Just seems too risky to do otherwise, for many different reasons.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

For the record, I think MicJones' stance is fine if his philosophy is no death penalty for anyone, regardless of crime. While I don't necessarily agree with it, I think it's a valid position for signing such a petition.

Agreed. MicJones you have a right to believe what you want to believe, I just see it differently. I feel for the family of the victims, and in my opinion, if I were them I would want justice. Why should he live when he played God and helped decide who lived and who died.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

No it's not. You're saying everyone is equally fallible, and obviously that is completely incorrect because everyone doesn't go around murdering people.

Fallible simply means, capable of error.
Liable to make a mistake.

If we're all equally prone to error are we really in a position to make irreversible decisions on the lives of other people?

[PhillyChiefFan]

It is scary to think how an act of kindness could be the last act you make.

[Redrum_69]

dear therman,

looks like this thread went to hell in a handbasket.

also, chad pennington will be our new stating quarterback.

in regards to your soon to be parents fried friend, tell him to say hi to hussein.

have a sparkling day,

the wpi staff