Life The Death Penalty - Page 14

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

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan4Life

I think it's pretty obvious that he would want him to remain alive in prison with the possibility of new evidence coming to light that one day may set him free

You're right. It'd be fair for me to set a match to the Constitution because of my own personal tragedy.

Let's deny the man the opportunity to due process because he killed one of my family members.

Uncle_Ted · 08-07-2008, 12:06 PM

I generally oppose the death penalty, but if it's going to be applied it should not IMO be applied to a "mere" accomplice. Giving the death penalty in such a case only encourages all of a future killer's accomplices to in turn murder every possible witness they come across (since if they are caught they are all getting the needle anyway, regardless of which one of them is the actual killer).

That said, I know nothing about the case except what was in the original post, so I'd be shocked if the inmate is as "innocent" as he claims.

beach tribe · 08-07-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

It wouldn't change my respect for human life.
I get the sentimentality card. You want to play on my emotions.
But even personal tragedy doesn't change how sacred life is for me.

Whose life. The life of the guy who was dumped in the woods, or the shit bags who put him there.

I know, I know, both. **** that, I have more respect for a dogs life than a damned body dumper.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsFan4Life

You didn't answer the question, surprise surprise

What would you want his sentence to be

I WOULDN'T want it to be the death penalty.

Life in prison maybe.
30 years. Depends on the circumstances and details of the case.
But surely I can give a reasonable sentence with just a hypothetical situation to work from. Boy I tell ya...

PhillyChiefFan · 08-07-2008, 12:08 PM

I have complete respect for human life, which is why is someone takes it, I believe their lives should be taken also.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ted

I generally oppose the death penalty, but if it's going to be applied it should not IMO be applied to a "mere" accomplice. Giving the death penalty in such a case only encourages all of a future killer's accomplices to in turn murder every possible witness they come across (since if they are caught they are all getting the needle anyway, regardless of which one of them is the actual killer).

That said, I know nothing about the case except what was in the original post, so I'd be shocked if the inmate is as "innocent" as he claims.

Whether or not the death penalty is equitable considering the fact that he was only an accomplice hasn't even been argued yet. I would venture to guess that cases involving accomplices being sentenced to death are fairly rare.

Again, this goes to my argument about the death penalty being equitable in practice.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

I have complete respect for human life, which is why is someone takes it, I believe their lives should be taken also.

Fair enough.

How then should that be applied? The same across the board?
Should negligence that leads to accidental death be punishable by the death penalty?

Redrum_69 · 08-07-2008, 12:10 PM

How the hell did we go from the death penalty...to slavery...

and now

in two hours

Chad Pennington will be editor for WPI

PhillyChiefFan · 08-07-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

I WOULDN'T want it to be the death penalty.

Life in prison maybe.
30 years. Depends on the circumstances and details of the case.
But surely I can give a reasonable sentence with just a hypothetical situation to work from. Boy I tell ya...

Yes, cause I would feel so much better having the guy that murdered my family member alive and well and using my tax dollars to eat, sleep, and take a sh*t....boy I tell ya.

**DeezNutz** · 08-07-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Let's deny the man the opportunity to due process because he killed one of my family members.

Was the man in question denied due process? How are you defining this?

PhillyChiefFan · 08-07-2008, 12:13 PM

I am talking about cold blood murder.

You are talking about apples and oranges. You can not compare accidental death with this situation.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

Yes, cause I would feel so much better having the guy that murdered my family member alive and well and using my tax dollars to eat, sleep, and take a sh*t....boy I tell ya.

Actually the death penalty proves to be more expensive than life-in-prison sentences. Try again...

little jacob · 08-07-2008, 12:14 PM

i don't know him really well but i know someone on death row in another state. we were friends at one time and i have written him and he replies. at the time of his crime i hadn't talked to him in a few years. so i dont know much about that. i dont ask about it.

i can't believe he did what he did, but he knows what the price was on his deed and i think in a way he is looking forward to paying off the balance. i dont like what is coming but he deserves it. every day since that day has been found money for him. he has really changed, and i think he is a decent man today. but does he deserve mercy? i dont think he does. he has to settle up with the state for what he's done, and he has to submit justice to the people he hurt.

Micjones · 08-07-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

I am talking about cold blood murder.

You are talking about apples and oranges. You can not compare accidental death with this situation.

So the death penalty should only be applied to people who kill in cold blood?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that rule this guy out?
I thought he didn't do the killings himself?

beach tribe · 08-07-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micjones

Whether or not the death penalty is equitable considering the fact that he was only an accomplice hasn't even been argued yet. I would venture to guess that cases involving accomplices being sentenced to death are fairly rare.

Again, this goes to my argument about the death penalty being equitable in practice.

If they hadn't proceeded to kill MORE people he would not have gotten the DP.

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, 12:06 PM	#197
Uncle_Ted We're the band! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $10008915	I generally oppose the death penalty, but if it's going to be applied it should not IMO be applied to a "mere" accomplice. Giving the death penalty in such a case only encourages all of a future killer's accomplices to in turn murder every possible witness they come across (since if they are caught they are all getting the needle anyway, regardless of which one of them is the actual killer). That said, I know nothing about the case except what was in the original post, so I'd be shocked if the inmate is as "innocent" as he claims.
Posts: 855

08-07-2008, 12:08 PM	#200
PhillyChiefFan Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Casino cash: $3151139	I have complete respect for human life, which is why is someone takes it, I believe their lives should be taken also.
Posts: 3,407

08-07-2008, 12:10 PM	#203
Redrum_69 Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: your nightmares Casino cash: $10004900	How the hell did we go from the death penalty...to slavery... and now in two hours Chad Pennington will be editor for WPI
Posts: 6,358

08-07-2008, 12:13 PM	#206
PhillyChiefFan Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Harrisburg, PA Casino cash: $3151139	I am talking about cold blood murder. You are talking about apples and oranges. You can not compare accidental death with this situation.
Posts: 3,407

08-07-2008, 12:14 PM	#208
little jacob Bitter Clinger Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	i don't know him really well but i know someone on death row in another state. we were friends at one time and i have written him and he replies. at the time of his crime i hadn't talked to him in a few years. so i dont know much about that. i dont ask about it. i can't believe he did what he did, but he knows what the price was on his deed and i think in a way he is looking forward to paying off the balance. i dont like what is coming but he deserves it. every day since that day has been found money for him. he has really changed, and i think he is a decent man today. but does he deserve mercy? i dont think he does. he has to settle up with the state for what he's done, and he has to submit justice to the people he hurt.
Posts: 1,214