Life The Death Penalty - Page 24

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

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:14 PM

Hi Jennilyn, and welcome to the board.

The loss to your family certainly gets a lot of sympathy on this board. In his defense, the original poster is a nice fellow who just didn't receive all of the facts.

If you didn't take the time to read the entire thread, a quick summary would be that the only people who aren't avidly in favor of executing that criminal were the few who don't think the death penalty should be used on anyone. It's their right to think that, but everyone else agreed that the criminal is a perfect candidate to be executed, and most of us would buy popcorn to see it. For that matter, most of us would want to pop the popcorn on the criminal's head while the voltage is running through him. You start a petition to fry him and you'll get a couple of hundred signatures from this site alone.

RJ · 08-22-2008, 08:14 PM

So she made a statement at the sentencing hearing asking the judge to show no leniency for Skillicorn and then married him later?

jennilyn · 08-22-2008, 08:15 PM

Dennis Skillicorn was first tried and convicted for the murder of Richard Drummond...And sentenced to death. He was then transported to Arizona to stand trial for murdering my aunt and uncle.. more good samaritans So when Skillicorn was brought to Az to stand trial for those murders..Paula had married him, and became his wife.

**SAUTO** · 08-22-2008, 08:16 PM

yeah i said before that i was a friend of tim degraffenreid in elementary school, too bad for him but if you kill someone like these guys did then they deserve to die

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennilyn

Yep she sure did..wild eh? After he recieved the death penalty even, in the state of Mo for Mr.Richard Drummond's murder.

This is one of the great mysteries of modern life. Why do women marry men on death row?

I guess, though, there are some advantages. He's not going to cheat on you, unless you count unspeakable acts in the prison shower. He's not going to be hanging around the house on the weekends annoying you. (Heh - hanging. No pun intended.) And if he's got a good life insurance policy, you're set for life.

Hmm, maybe it's not such a bad idea.

jennilyn · 08-22-2008, 08:22 PM

Thank you , Actually I did read the entire thread. I don't doubt Mr.Thurman is a very nice guy. As i said I don't think he knows ALL the facts.
Perhaps I was confusing in my post.. it was me who stood behind Skillicorn asking for no leinacy..and the woman who was offered us condolance had become his wife.
To JASONSAUTO,
I feel for Tim in a sort of way.. i think he was in the wrong place with the wrong guys and had no idea there was going to be a murder. He was smart, when he discovered what these other two men were doing he wanted out..It's a shame he was there, but it is also his testimony that revealed all that Skillicorn said and did. For that I am thankful.

Frazod · 08-22-2008, 08:22 PM

What kind of sick freak marries a guy like this AFTER he's in jail? And it's not like this is an isolated incident. I've heard of this happening several other times. The fascination with murderers.... hell, Ted Bundy got fan mail complete with pictures from women who looked just like his victims.

I don't get it.

I'm kind of glad I don't get it.

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

So she made a statement at the sentencing hearing asking the judge to show no leniency for Skillicorn and then married him later?

I think Jennilyn was the one asking for no leniency.

**SAUTO** · 08-22-2008, 08:26 PM

yeah but tim had every opportunity to get the hell away from those asshaole and didnt RUN. there has also been conflicting reports as to his involvment in the crimes i.e. what he told friends at the time conflicted with what he testified to. some people will stretch the truth to save themselves. remember he first said that they kidnapped him if i remember right

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

yeah but tim had every opportunity to get the hell away from those asshaole and didnt RUN. there has also been conflicting reports as to his involvment in the crimes i.e. what he told friends at the time conflicted with what he testified to. some people will stretch the truth to save themselves. remember he first said that they kidnapped him if i remember right

I think criminals tend to be dishonest.

I always wonder how judges deal with that. You know that 99 percent of criminals are on the stand lying nonstop.

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:32 PM

Hey Jasonsauto, would you have predicted that Degraffenreid would end up like this?

**SAUTO** · 08-22-2008, 08:34 PM

no way he was a skater in middle school but in NO WAY was he that type of person. kinda shy overweight and had plenty of good people who were friends with him

jennilyn · 08-22-2008, 08:34 PM

With that said at least you know I am not some heartless kill the murderer vengful family member here. I just know that Dennis Skillicorn participated in these murders.. and knew after killing drummond what type of envolvment he was into.Those two men knocked on my aunt and uncles door.. asked for help to get their car unstuck out of a wash (by the way it was Richard Drummonds car). My uncle went to help them in my aunts jeep. When he couldn't get the car out..they shot him in the back of the head while he was on his knees. They stole the jeep and went back to the house to murder my aunt.. do I need to say more...? This man was not innocent and knew what he was participating in. When they arrested them.. one of them was wearing my uncles hat as a trophy.. .
Yeah well..so how do the chiefs look this year? As I mentioned above...I used to live in mo.. I even still have my Chiefs crock pot for the nachos!

Frazod · 08-22-2008, 08:37 PM

The Chiefs are probably going to stink this year - we're in full rebuilding mode. Hopefully we'll be competitive next year.

RJ · 08-22-2008, 08:38 PM

Sadly, jennilyn, the Chiefs won't likely be very good this season. Hide the crock pot for a year or two.

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

08-22-2008, 08:14 PM	#346
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-762449 VARSITY	Hi Jennilyn, and welcome to the board. The loss to your family certainly gets a lot of sympathy on this board. In his defense, the original poster is a nice fellow who just didn't receive all of the facts. If you didn't take the time to read the entire thread, a quick summary would be that the only people who aren't avidly in favor of executing that criminal were the few who don't think the death penalty should be used on anyone. It's their right to think that, but everyone else agreed that the criminal is a perfect candidate to be executed, and most of us would buy popcorn to see it. For that matter, most of us would want to pop the popcorn on the criminal's head while the voltage is running through him. You start a petition to fry him and you'll get a couple of hundred signatures from this site alone. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,594

08-22-2008, 08:14 PM	#347
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	So she made a statement at the sentencing hearing asking the judge to show no leniency for Skillicorn and then married him later?
Posts: 14,940

08-22-2008, 08:15 PM	#348
jennilyn Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Dennis Skillicorn was first tried and convicted for the murder of Richard Drummond...And sentenced to death. He was then transported to Arizona to stand trial for murdering my aunt and uncle.. more good samaritans So when Skillicorn was brought to Az to stand trial for those murders..Paula had married him, and became his wife.
Posts: 10

08-22-2008, 08:16 PM	#349
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	yeah i said before that i was a friend of tim degraffenreid in elementary school, too bad for him but if you kill someone like these guys did then they deserve to die
Posts: 55,715

08-22-2008, 08:22 PM	#351
jennilyn Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Thank you , Actually I did read the entire thread. I don't doubt Mr.Thurman is a very nice guy. As i said I don't think he knows ALL the facts. Perhaps I was confusing in my post.. it was me who stood behind Skillicorn asking for no leinacy..and the woman who was offered us condolance had become his wife. To JASONSAUTO, I feel for Tim in a sort of way.. i think he was in the wrong place with the wrong guys and had no idea there was going to be a murder. He was smart, when he discovered what these other two men were doing he wanted out..It's a shame he was there, but it is also his testimony that revealed all that Skillicorn said and did. For that I am thankful.
Posts: 10

08-22-2008, 08:22 PM	#352
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-866615	What kind of sick freak marries a guy like this AFTER he's in jail? And it's not like this is an isolated incident. I've heard of this happening several other times. The fascination with murderers.... hell, Ted Bundy got fan mail complete with pictures from women who looked just like his victims. I don't get it. I'm kind of glad I don't get it.
Posts: 121,808

08-22-2008, 08:26 PM	#354
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	yeah but tim had every opportunity to get the hell away from those asshaole and didnt RUN. there has also been conflicting reports as to his involvment in the crimes i.e. what he told friends at the time conflicted with what he testified to. some people will stretch the truth to save themselves. remember he first said that they kidnapped him if i remember right
Posts: 55,715

08-22-2008, 08:32 PM	#356
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-762449 VARSITY	Hey Jasonsauto, would you have predicted that Degraffenreid would end up like this? __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,594

08-22-2008, 08:34 PM	#357
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	no way he was a skater in middle school but in NO WAY was he that type of person. kinda shy overweight and had plenty of good people who were friends with him
Posts: 55,715

08-22-2008, 08:34 PM	#358
jennilyn Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	With that said at least you know I am not some heartless kill the murderer vengful family member here. I just know that Dennis Skillicorn participated in these murders.. and knew after killing drummond what type of envolvment he was into.Those two men knocked on my aunt and uncles door.. asked for help to get their car unstuck out of a wash (by the way it was Richard Drummonds car). My uncle went to help them in my aunts jeep. When he couldn't get the car out..they shot him in the back of the head while he was on his knees. They stole the jeep and went back to the house to murder my aunt.. do I need to say more...? This man was not innocent and knew what he was participating in. When they arrested them.. one of them was wearing my uncles hat as a trophy.. . Yeah well..so how do the chiefs look this year? As I mentioned above...I used to live in mo.. I even still have my Chiefs crock pot for the nachos!
Posts: 10

08-22-2008, 08:37 PM	#359
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-866615	The Chiefs are probably going to stink this year - we're in full rebuilding mode. Hopefully we'll be competitive next year.
Posts: 121,808

08-22-2008, 08:38 PM	#360
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	Sadly, jennilyn, the Chiefs won't likely be very good this season. Hide the crock pot for a year or two.
Posts: 14,940