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Mid-Missouri April 2005 FOR News |
P.O. Box 268 |
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Headlines
April 2005 FORNewsJoin Victim’s Family to Halt April 27 Execution of Donald JonesMissouri's death penalty lurches forward it seems with the logic of a raging headless horseman. Proponents typically justify executions as a means to promote healing for victims' families. Officials plan next to execute Donald Jones late on Tuesday night, just a few minutes after midnight on April 27-- even though the victim's family has steadfastly opposed such punishment. Mr. Jones was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering Dorothy Knuckles, his grandmother, then robbing her St. Louis home to get money for crack cocaine in 1993. If he were executed, “It would be as though she had died again” Patricia Johnson one of Ms. Knuckles' sisters, sadly told FOR. “I just don't know how our family could get through it.” Matthew Knuckles, one her five, adult children, who's been a Rock Hill alderman for 15 years, joined his brother, Lester Knuckles, a former mayor of Velda City in recently renewing publicly the family's opposition to the state executing his nephew. He recalls approaching the St. Louis City prosecutor with other relatives after his mother was murdered, and requesting they not pursue the harshest penalty.“We already had enough death in the family. We only wanted to get Donald some help” for his drug dependency, but “they didn't want to listen to what we had to say,” perhaps because of the upcoming re-election. Instead the prosecutor filed papers to pursue “death.” The jury ultimately concurred. Gov. Matt Blunt and Attorney General Jay Nixon speak of being moved to action by the pain of murder victims' families. The governor stated in a news release, after denying clemency for Stanley Hall, who Missouri officials later executed on March 15 for the murder of Barbara Jo Wood: “My thoughts and prayers are with (her) family...I cannot imagine the pain her family has endured... I hope this action (Mr. Hall's execution) brings them the closure they deserve.” Hopefully, the governor will heed the wishes of Ms. Knuckles' family and commute the death sentence. Ms. Johnson adds, “If my sister could say anything about it (his execution)...she wouldn't have wanted anything like that to happen to Donald. Those boys, he and his brother (Steven) were her life. They stayed with her most of their younger years.” The boys' parents were separated and usually worked out of town, so their grandmother “basically raised those boys (and) cared perhaps most deeply for Donald. The crime simply made no sense. Killing Donald would also make no sense at all. I believe he regrets what he has done. It's hard on me. I'm not going to tell that it's not,” trying to cope with her sister's death. “I'm not going to have to answer to Donald's Maker for him. He'll have to answer for himself.” The Mid-MO FOR universally supports nonviolent alternatives to promote healing for murder victim families; we condemn murder by the individual or state, including the execution of Donald Jones. State murder will only increase the anguish and the citizens who will become mourners. He would be the 63rd person killed by Missouri officials, 4th most of any U.S. state. Additionally, there are other issues of concern: No prior history of violenceMr. Jones inhaled marijuana laced with (unbeknownst to him) PCP, also known as “Angel Dust.” It helped send him into a drug rage. He had no convictions prior to this horrific offense, which was a bizarre aberration rather than characteristic of him. Judge's animosityThe trial judge had a longstanding bias against one of Donald’s trial lawyers and refused to let another judge conduct a hearing on his disqualification. The public defender had been assigned to the case after the time to file a motion for automatic change of judge had passed. Previously, the judge had unsuccessfully attempted, to have her disciplined by the Bar. This bias spilled over to her colleagues on the same case. Trial counsel knew they needed more time to prepare. They did not for instance, obtain a social history of their client. They had to use time they would otherwise have devoted to trial preparation just to attempt to get a fair tribunal. Prosecutorial MisconductThe prosecutor incorrectly told jurors the family would be supporting the death penalty if the accused weren’t a relative. In fact, the bulk of the family opposed the death penalty before this case arose. What You Can Do* Contact Gov. Matt Blunt Write: Gov. BluntRoom 216, Capitol Bldg. Jefferson City MO 65101 Fax: E-Mail: * Join Vigils for Life Tuesday 26 April 5:00- 6:00 p.m. Boone County Courthouse, Columbia
Columbia Moratorium Effort Reaches 50 ResolutionsAbout 1½ years into the statewide campaign for a study commission to examine various aspects of Missouri's death penalty system with a subsequent moratorium on executions, the Columbia chapter has reached a significant benchmark. Fifty different entities-- houses of worship, businesses and organizations-- have endorsed a call for a moratorium. Please Join us if you can for a News Conference noting the occasion. 9:30 am., Tuesday, 19 AprilSt. Luke's United Methodist Church 204 E. Ash Columbia Among those participating will be Robert Schultz, a field organizer with Amnesty International's Midwest Regional office in Chicago, Rev. Raymond Hayes of St Luke’s, Edith Prince Missouri President of Church Women United and Jeff Stack, coordinator of the Mid-MO FOR. A congratulatory statement will also be read from Rep. Judy Baker (25th District- Columbia).
Next monthly local meeting of the Missouri campaign for an execution moratoriumTuesday, April 19, 7:00-8:30 pmConference Room A on the 1st floor of the Columbia Public Library. Robert Schultz, a field organizer with Amnesty International's Midwest Regional office from Chicago will present strategies for the local efforts, along with reports on the resolution-collection progress, benefit concert for Danny Wolfe’s legal defenses and other updates.
Stanley Hall Executed.“On a 4-3 vote the state Board of Probation and Parole today recommended that (Stanley) Hall's sentence be commuted to life without the possibility of parole,” announced a news release sent out by Gov. Matt Blunt's office. “So what?,” seemed to be the governor's response as he faced the first exeuction on his watch. Stanley Hall became the 62nd person executed by the state since 1989-- 4th most of any U.S. state. It appears the Board may have realized the capacity Hall had to continue serving in helping to prevent so-called “at risk kids” from continuing down a troubled behavioral path toward prison or an early death. An instructor at one high school alone in University City noted that Mr. Hall visited with more than 600 students from his school alone during a 5-year period through the Youth Enlightenment Program (sadly shut down two years ago). It's sad to ponder how many young lives, as a consequence of the deaths of YEP and Stanley Hall, may not be turned around. In my last phone conversation with him, I asked Stanley if there was anything he wanted us to do on his behalf. He explained having just learned his 11-year old son had his bike stolen. Could we buy him a bike? I said we would be honored to do so, giving it to his son in his father's name. (In the coming week, Mary Mifflin with the Eastern MO Coalition will likely be delivering the bike, thanks to donations from about a half dozen generous individuals. Letters of condolence can be sent to his mother, Celesta Hall, 4219 Peck, St. Louis MO 63107.
Fr. Carl Kabat ArrestedFr. Carl Kabat, a 71-year old Catholic priest from St. Louis was released from jail after being arrested for a nonviolent civil disobedient protest of an execution at the Potosi Correctional Center in southern Missouri. Washington County officials have to date not sent him any notice to appear in their court. Check back here in a few days to view Fr. Kabat's public statements.
“Jamming for Justice” Danny Wolfe Defense-Fund Benefit Concert7:30 pm – midnightThursday May 5 MoJo's 1013 Park Columbia $5 suggested donation-- more welcome Rocket & Jeff, Mere Mortals, The Swamp Rabbits...and more to be announced
Student Worker Action at Washington UniversityWashington University students have taken a progressive stand in support of workers on the St. Louis campus who are struggling to earn a living wage. For nine months the Student Worker Alliance (SWA) has labored for reasonable salaries for all university employees. Chancellor Wrighton has refused to budge on the issue. Now SWA has taken decisive action: the first week of April activists took over the admissions office - just in time for April Welcome for incoming freshmen. Please take a moment to support them in their efforts. The cost of a living wage for university employees is only $2.4 million a year. That may sound like a large amount but it comprises less than one quarter of one percent of the school's operating budget! For more information and/or to send your own message directly to the relevant decision makers, check out the St. Louis Area Jobs with Justice chapter.
Disability Rights Legislative DayWednesday, April 27, State Capitol, Jefferson City 9:30 workshops1:00-1:30March around the capitol 1:30-3:00 p.m Rally on South Lawn 3:00 Meet with legislators Come and be heard
Clarence “Dick” Dexter Dies; Wrongly-convicted Missouri man had been active in abolition effortsClarence Dexter, the 1st of three people to be exonerated from Missouri's “Death Row” during these more “modern times, died on April 10. He was set free in June 1999 after being incarcerated for more than 8 years, wrongfully convicted of murdering Carol, his wife of 22 years. At the very least, investigators and prosecutors misinterpreted some evidence and overlooked other pieces. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled the state “overreached” to conclude he was guilty. The state dropped all charges, the day a re-trial was set to begin. Both he and his mother Flora were moved into a nursing home in Butler late in March. They had previously taken turns caring for each other during bouts of severe, debilitating conditions. He was coping with pancreatic cancer. When health permitted, Dick was an active member of the Western Missouri Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. We will miss our gentle brother. We are also grateful he died outside of prison, a space where he should never have been banished to in the first place. Letters of condolence can be sent to: Flora Dexterc/o the Willow Lane Nursing Center 416 S High St. Butler, MO 64730
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