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Posted on Tue, Nov. 10, 2009 11:22 PM
Death row inmates lose appeal that halted executions in Missouri
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A group of Missouri death row inmates on Tuesday lost an appeal that had temporarily halted executions in the state.
Though the ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals moves the state closer to once again scheduling executions, it could be several months before the ruling is considered final.
And a spokeswoman for the Missouri Supreme Court said it would not set any execution dates until that happens.
Still, as a result of Tuesday’s ruling, the state soon will ask the Missouri Supreme Court for execution dates in “appropriate cases,” a spokeswoman for Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said.
The three-judge appeals court panel on Tuesday upheld an earlier ruling by a federal judge in Kansas City. That judge had dismissed a lawsuit filed by eight death row inmates challenging the training and competence of personnel who carry out the state’s executions.
The panel also upheld the judge’s decision not to allow three other condemned prisoners to join the case.
Among the inmates who filed the lawsuit are Michael Taylor and Roderick Nunley, who were convicted of raping and killing a Kansas City teenager in 1989, and Reginald Clemons, whose June execution date was stayed while the 8th Circuit considered the appeal it ruled on Tuesday.
Missouri’s chief justice later said that order was interpreted by the state Supreme Court as a stay of all executions while the appeal was pending.
Officials with the 8th Circuit said Tuesday the stay likely will remain in effect until the order becomes final. That could take several months, depending on how attorneys for the prisoners appeal Tuesday’s decision. One attorney said they are considering options on how to proceed.
In May, Missouri carried out its first execution since 2005, putting Dennis Skillicorn to death for the killing of an Excelsior Springs man. Shortly after that, the stay was ordered in Clemons’ case.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send e-mail to trizzo@kcstar.com.
Posted on Tue, Nov. 10, 2009 11:22 PM
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