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

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Using another man's argument?
Shameful.

Why? I happen to agree with that post 100% He just said it before I did. And you never answered his question. Are we supposed to just lay there and take it while scumbags like do whatever? Look, I'm sure everyone knows that if you murder someone in cold blood, you could get the death penalty. It's not like they stole a pack of gum from Walmart. The ended a life. Ask the victims' families if they don't think this guy deserves death. I wonder what they would say.

[Iowanian]

The good news Mic, is that this guy had the benefit of 12 persons on his jury, to help make sure the other 11 weren't making a mistake.

[RJ]

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.

I'm in agreement with that. I still think he's flat out wrong, but if you're against the death penalty then you have to be against it across the board. Which is something I just can't bring myself to do.........some people have done things so wrong and so horrible and so cruel that they just flat out deserve to die, that there is just no good reason to keep them alive.

Based on the information we have I'd never sign a petition asking for any concessions or leniency. Sometimes you gotta give the judge and jury the benefit of the doubt.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Redrum_69

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

This from the guy who came up with this...

A discussion about the practicality of the death penalty turned into a pissing match over who can "get chicks". And I'm the one with the trouble, right?

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Micjones

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?

I see what you are saying, but I'm asking you a serious, nonsarcastic question. Would you rather he be given life in prison?

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

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.

Indeed. There comes a point when the person whom you thought you were married to, related to, or otherwise associated with clearly marks him/herself as different, thus severing all ties.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by Micjones

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?

So your entire argument is based on the pretense that since everyone is physically capable of murder, we should not use capital punishment on anyone? Honestly, that's the most f'd up, backwards view I've ever heard. Everyone should be responsible for their own actions, period.

I guess I respect your opinion, but I'm thrilled yours is in the minority.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

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.

That's a good way to put it.

I agree with MicJones' general premise that life is sacred (though I'm a hypocrite because I kill bugs and spiders). I think my justification for the death sentence in cases like this is that the murderer violated this premise of sacredness (sacredity? sacredosity?), and therefore forfeits his right to expect the same. It's kind of a balancing of the karma of the universe.

[ChiefsFan4Life]

Originally Posted by Micjones

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?

Are you just saying quotes from the Compassion?

[Lzen]

Originally Posted by Micjones

More eloquence.
Leave the discussion to the adults.

Adults? I have not heard an adult basis for your side of the argument. Keep trying.

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Micjones

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

Yeah, I think it's pretty pussed to value the life, of a body dumping shitbag.


I feel more sorry for the chickens that colonel Sanders hangs with.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

The good news Mic, is that this guy had the benefit of 12 persons on his jury, to help make sure the other 11 weren't making a mistake.

He was afforded due process in that regard, but...
The death penalty denies him due process of the law altogether...
This man can never benefit from new evidence or new law that could possibly mitigate his sentence or overturn his conviction.

[Fairplay]

The spruce goose had a better take off then this thread.

Ala the Hindenberg.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by Micjones

He was afforded due process in that regard, but...
The death penalty denies him due process of the law altogether...
This man can never benefit from new evidence or new law that could possibly mitigate his sentence or overturn his conviction.

Tough shit. The husband and wife he killed can never see their children again.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

That's a good way to put it.

I agree with MicJones' general premise that life is sacred (though I'm a hypocrite because I kill bugs and spiders). I think my justification for the death sentence in cases like this is that the murderer violated this premise of sacredness (sacredity? sacredosity?), and therefore forfeits his right to expect the same. It's kind of a balancing of the karma of the universe.

exactly. If the guy had gotten caught up in a situation that spun out of control and a life was taken, then yes, perhaps this man should have gotten life in prison. But they went on to kill two more people, the man was completely aware of what he was doing the whole time.

I agree with your balance statement 100%