Life The Death Penalty - Page 25

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

RJ · 08-22-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I don't get it.

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

That's a very good point. If something like that makes sense then you're probably doing something wrong.

**Iowanian** · 08-22-2008, 08:40 PM

Sorry for your loss.

Since I read the other side of the story, I've been in favor of duct taping the prick's hands to his feet and letting shriner cars play soccer with him on the town square.

RJ · 08-22-2008, 08:40 PM

So jennilyn, you've also found other message boards where requests to sign the same petition were posted? What types of boards?

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

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

Interesting. One really wonders what leads one person down a horrible path while others with the same start do fine.

jennilyn · 08-22-2008, 08:45 PM

Every board that says "sign this petition for Dennis Skillicorn" When I bring up a search engine just to get updated on Skillicorn, I get these links for signing petitions. You have to imagine our family has been watching since we received the phone call from Victims Rights letting us know of the execution date being set.
Damn, I love that crockpot!!!!

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:46 PM

Don't listen to these people. The Chiefs are going to be the cinderella team of the year. In Chinese astrology, this is the beginning of the Year of the Croyle.

**SAUTO** · 08-22-2008, 08:46 PM

i know. its weird to think of the nice kid you ran around with killing someone. i moved to wyandotte co. in the 6th grade and one of my friends' brothers killed a ww2 vet for 10 bucks HORRIBLE

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennilyn

Every board that says "sign this petition for Dennis Skillicorn" When I bring up a search engine just to get updated on Skillicorn, I get these links for signing petitions. You have to imagine our family has been watching since we received the phone call from Victims Rights letting us know of the execution date being set.
Damn, I love that crockpot!!!!

Point us to those links, and we'll set people straight. Chiefsplanet's middle name is "Vigilante Mob Justice".

However, in return you have to mail us all some queso dip from the crockpot.

RJ · 08-22-2008, 08:51 PM

Rain Man is correct. You want a cyber mob, the Planet is the place to go. We have people here who know how to get things done. nod nod, wink wink.

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

i know. its weird to think of the nice kid you ran around with killing someone. i moved to wyandotte co. in the 6th grade and one of my friends' brothers killed a ww2 vet for 10 bucks HORRIBLE

It's bad, bad karma to kill a WWII vet.

When I was in 7th grade, I got matched up against the smaller prison guy that I mentioned. He wrestled the daylights out of me, and I was incredibly frustrated when we finished. To my surprise, since I thought he was a hoodlum, he actually apologized to me for making me feel bad. He was a nice guy, really, but then he got caught up with the wrong crowd. Eventually, he was stabbed to death in a bar fight, but not before he also lost his nose in a car wreck.

**SAUTO** · 08-22-2008, 09:09 PM

some hoodlums are good guys also/ deep down inside just get caught up in bad things youre right

**cdcox** · 08-22-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It's bad, bad karma to kill a WWII vet.

When I was in 7th grade, I got matched up against the smaller prison guy that I mentioned. He wrestled the daylights out of me, and I was incredibly frustrated when we finished. To my surprise, since I thought he was a hoodlum, he actually apologized to me for making me feel bad. He was a nice guy, really, but then he got caught up with the wrong crowd. Eventually, he was stabbed to death in a bar fight, but not before he also lost his nose in a car wreck.

I'd like to hear that story told in the manner of the tale you spun about the big kid who rounded second base about the time you tackled him. That was a great story.

**Rain Man** · 08-22-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

I'd like to hear that story told in the manner of the tale you spun about the big kid who rounded second base about the time you tackled him. That was a great story.

Did I ever mention that the guy's sister found that thread while ego surfing, and she sent me an e-mail? Apparently the guy I fought got a good laugh out of it.

**cdcox** · 08-22-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Did I ever mention that the guy's sister found that thread while ego surfing, and she sent me an e-mail? Apparently the guy I fought got a good laugh out of it.

Come to think of it, I think you did.

I think that is a pretty common experience how guys laugh over their childhood fights.

I was only in two fights growing up. The second one happened at summer Boy Scout camp when one of the younger scouts thought I was a good target to pick on. I basically turned the other cheek while he abused me for several days (the kid was 2 years younger than me and probably a foot shorter). This kid was always looking for trouble and usually found it. Finally one day the peer pressure got to me and I squared off against him. My reach advantage was so overwelming that all he did was defend. I took a couple of slow swings at him with my right hand, which he easily ducked. But he kept ducking to my left. On my third looping right he ducked again to my left, only to meet my left hand which I hand placed on a collion course with his head, based on my earlier observations of his behavior. I burst a blood vessel in his eye and that was pretty much the end of it. His oldest brother (who wasn't there during the fight and could have easily kicked my ass) pulled me aside and told me that yeah, his brother was a twerp who probably deserved what he got, but that given my size advantage, it was unfair for me to clock him like that. I agreed and said I was sorry, which pretty much satisfied the older brother. None of the adult leaders said anything 'cause the little kid was basically a trouble maker and I was probably the straightest kid in the troop.

Fast forward seven years or so. I'm at the funeral visitation of the oldest brother (drunk driving). His brother, the kid I beat up, has been in the marines and looks like it. I'm still a pencil-neck geek. After I express my condolences, he reminds me of our earlier encounter, admits he deserved it. We laugh about it. I was really glad we were laughing.

jennilyn · 08-22-2008, 10:47 PM

Thank you RJ and Rainman..and all others who have shared words of support. I just want to let people know there is another side to this story..before they sign a petition that leaves out so many facts and truths.
and since those victims cant speak..

Someone should tell the truth for them.
Have a nice night all

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, 08:40 PM	#362
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1638454	Sorry for your loss. Since I read the other side of the story, I've been in favor of duct taping the prick's hands to his feet and letting shriner cars play soccer with him on the town square.
Posts: 62,946

08-22-2008, 08:40 PM	#363
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	So jennilyn, you've also found other message boards where requests to sign the same petition were posted? What types of boards?
Posts: 14,940

08-22-2008, 08:45 PM	#365
jennilyn Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Every board that says "sign this petition for Dennis Skillicorn" When I bring up a search engine just to get updated on Skillicorn, I get these links for signing petitions. You have to imagine our family has been watching since we received the phone call from Victims Rights letting us know of the execution date being set. Damn, I love that crockpot!!!!
Posts: 10

08-22-2008, 08:46 PM	#366
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-762449 VARSITY	Don't listen to these people. The Chiefs are going to be the cinderella team of the year. In Chinese astrology, this is the beginning of the Year of the Croyle. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,594

08-22-2008, 08:46 PM	#367
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	i know. its weird to think of the nice kid you ran around with killing someone. i moved to wyandotte co. in the 6th grade and one of my friends' brothers killed a ww2 vet for 10 bucks HORRIBLE
Posts: 55,715

08-22-2008, 08:51 PM	#369
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	Rain Man is correct. You want a cyber mob, the Planet is the place to go. We have people here who know how to get things done. nod nod, wink wink.
Posts: 14,940

08-22-2008, 09:09 PM	#371
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	some hoodlums are good guys also/ deep down inside just get caught up in bad things youre right
Posts: 55,715

08-22-2008, 10:47 PM	#375
jennilyn Rookie Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Thank you RJ and Rainman..and all others who have shared words of support. I just want to let people know there is another side to this story..before they sign a petition that leaves out so many facts and truths. and since those victims cant speak.. Someone should tell the truth for them. Have a nice night all
Posts: 10