Life The Death Penalty - Page 9

Mama Hip Rockets · 08-07-2008, 09:48 AM

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

PhillyChiefFan · 08-07-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

He didn't kill the man. We know that much.

Maybe no new evidence comes available. The point is the corrective action would be irrevocable.

I wrote incorrectly, no he didn't kill these people that we know of, he might have pulled the trigger, he might not have. Perhaps his friend said I killed the one so I'm going down anyways, I'll take the rap for all three. We don't know.

My point to this is, he assisted in killing three people in cold blood, over a series of many days. This isn't a case of an accidental murder where things got out of control too quickly it is murder with the intent of murder, and he was heavily involved.

**Skip Towne** · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

That petition is a joke. This guy makes too many "mistakes". Fry him.

beach tribe · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

That's a 1:1 isn't it?
The killing of animals to live is directly in proportion to capital punishment.

Not at all. You said you value LIFE, and weren't inclined to make judgement on whether it could be taken, because you are not in position to give it. Yet you buy many animals to eat(which you can live without), but are in no position to give life to these animals. It's not a necessity, It's a way of humanity. Like Justice.

No I'm not a veggie.

**Iowanian** · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

I guess I'll never be able to put a soldier who kills in defense of his country, a person who kills an intruder to defend his family, or the state for executing a murderer in equal position with a person that helps murder 4 people.

call me crazy, but I don't feel its the same thing.

Mic, I know many people(catholics) who strongly oppose the death penalty and abortion and hold similar opinions to yours on this topic. I respect the opinion, but I don't agree with it.

**Dartgod** · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

Mic - You are arguing two different points. I understand that you are against capital punishment. Many people are. In general, I am for the death penalty, although I think it should only be applied in extreme cases, where the evidence is overwhelming against the defendant.

This guy was guilty of participating in four murders, one of which took place in a state that uses the death penalty as a punishment for these types of crimes. From the evidence I have read, this guy deserves what he is getting. End of story.

**Lzen** · 08-07-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I did answer the question.
I said there were other ways to achieve retribution.

Fine. Then we will continue to disagree. I still think scumbags like this deserve to die. I will continue to feel this way no matter how much you say. I believe in repentance and compassion. However, I also believe there is a price to pay for heinous crimes such as this. I don't believe the guy deserves to get any more tax payer funded room and board. I don't think the death penalty is for everyone, but is deserving for the ones that commit heinous crimes.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan4Life

Yeah, and the people that died as a part of all this will never had a chance at anything either, so tough shit, he should have thought about that before doing any of this shit

Again, I can't argue that it isn't a fair sentence.
My argument is who am I to decide that?

**Lzen** · 08-07-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

We shouldn't kill to teach other people not to kill

We should all just hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

**Rain Man** · 08-07-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm not sure your argument of new evidence holds water in this case, MicJones. New punishments or treatments, perhaps. But in essence this guy is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, and what he's doing now is asking for mercy.

I think that reasonable arguments against the death penalty are:

1. General "life is sacred" mantra and it's somehow better to lock the guy in a dungeon than kill him.

2. Maybe we'll come up with some way to zap the guy's brain of the bad stuff and convert him into a productive citizen. (Still seems problematic to me that Charlie Manson can go get a job at Chik-Fil-A and not be traumatic for the victim's families, etc.)

3. Maybe the guy is innocent and new technologies or evidence will one day prove it.

#3 is a biggie for me. There are innocent people who have been executed, and that's horrific. Events of recent years have turned me against the death penalty in most cases for this reason. However, #3 doesn't apply in this case, and I'm not a huge supporter of #1 and #2.

WilliamTheIrish · 08-07-2008, 11:30 AM

I tend to agree with Mic. I've sort of come full circle on this issue over the last 10 years. I'd rather the guy rotted in prison.

As an aside, if he is given the chair, I'm not going to shed a tear for him.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

Not at all. You said you value LIFE, and weren't inclined to make judgement on whether it could be taken, because you are not in position to give it. Yet you buy many animals to eat(which you can live without), but are in no position to give life to these animals. It's not a necessity, It's a way of humanity. Like Justice.

No I'm not a veggie.

Call me crazy, but I tend to see human life as infinitely more valuable than the lives of animals.

markk · 08-07-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

What sort of evidence? He has admitted to being present at all of the murders.

This isn't a case where DNA is going to prove something different. What do you think would ever change?

he was present at all of them. it sounds like the only leg the defense would have in that situation is 'i didn't know they were going to be killed'. that is just your word and the jury decides if they believe you.

**SAUTO** · 08-07-2008, 11:32 AM

i was friends with tim degraffenreid in elementary school real sad that he got tangled up in this shit, but i would still not sign a petition to save him or any of his "friends"

PhillyChiefFan · 08-07-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Call me crazy, but I tend to see human life as infinitely more valuable than the lives of animals.

I believe killing someone in cold blood, let alone many, makes their lives about as valuable as the ground those animals walk on.

ChiefsFan4Life · 08-07-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Call me crazy, but I tend to see human life as infinitely more valuable than the lives of animals.

Who are you to judge? How can you not judge for human lives but you can make a statement like this? You're getting ridiculous now.

08-07-2008, 09:48 AM
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $9915644	The Death Penalty 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
Posts: 13,675

08-07-2008, 11:28 AM	#122
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	That petition is a joke. This guy makes too many "mistakes". Fry him.
Posts: 69,689

08-07-2008, 11:28 AM	#124
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1648454	I guess I'll never be able to put a soldier who kills in defense of his country, a person who kills an intruder to defend his family, or the state for executing a murderer in equal position with a person that helps murder 4 people. call me crazy, but I don't feel its the same thing. Mic, I know many people(catholics) who strongly oppose the death penalty and abortion and hold similar opinions to yours on this topic. I respect the opinion, but I don't agree with it.
Posts: 62,945

08-07-2008, 11:28 AM	#125
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $3530000	Mic - You are arguing two different points. I understand that you are against capital punishment. Many people are. In general, I am for the death penalty, although I think it should only be applied in extreme cases, where the evidence is overwhelming against the defendant. This guy was guilty of participating in four murders, one of which took place in a state that uses the death penalty as a punishment for these types of crimes. From the evidence I have read, this guy deserves what he is getting. End of story. __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 52,237

08-07-2008, 11:29 AM	#129
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-742449 VARSITY	I'm not sure your argument of new evidence holds water in this case, MicJones. New punishments or treatments, perhaps. But in essence this guy is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, and what he's doing now is asking for mercy. I think that reasonable arguments against the death penalty are: 1. General "life is sacred" mantra and it's somehow better to lock the guy in a dungeon than kill him. 2. Maybe we'll come up with some way to zap the guy's brain of the bad stuff and convert him into a productive citizen. (Still seems problematic to me that Charlie Manson can go get a job at Chik-Fil-A and not be traumatic for the victim's families, etc.) 3. Maybe the guy is innocent and new technologies or evidence will one day prove it. #3 is a biggie for me. There are innocent people who have been executed, and that's horrific. Events of recent years have turned me against the death penalty in most cases for this reason. However, #3 doesn't apply in this case, and I'm not a huge supporter of #1 and #2. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,573

08-07-2008, 11:30 AM	#130
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $2550607	I tend to agree with Mic. I've sort of come full circle on this issue over the last 10 years. I'd rather the guy rotted in prison. As an aside, if he is given the chair, I'm not going to shed a tear for him.
Posts: 35,757

08-07-2008, 11:32 AM	#133
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	i was friends with tim degraffenreid in elementary school real sad that he got tangled up in this shit, but i would still not sign a petition to save him or any of his "friends"
Posts: 55,715