Mo. Execution Puts Death Penalty Debate at Forefront

The Grey Lady looks at the death penalty debate in Missouri as the state prepares to execute a prisoner for the first time since 2005.

At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Dennis J. Skillicorn is to be executed for his role in the murder of a businessman in 1994. He was not believed to be the gunman.

The N.Y. Times notes: "In the final days of the state legislative session in Jefferson City last week, a death penalty moratorium was rejected, but the House, which Republicans control, passed a provision calling for a commission to study the question. House leaders say their chamber’s vote sent a signal to Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat in his first term, who has yet to issue a decision on Mr. Skillicorn’s request for clemency."

"He is not the one who actually killed the person, and that just says to me: ‘Whoa! Let’s take a step back,’ ” said State Representative Steven Tilley, the Republican leader.

Mr. Nixon declined interview requests. His aides said he was giving Mr. Skillicorn’s clemency request “a full and fair review.”
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ALSO: Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty are planning a vigil Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to pray for Skillicorn. The vigil will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on 2818 East Bennett in Springfield.

71 GOP House Members Back Blunt For Senate

Most of the Republican members of the State House are endorsing Roy Blunt's campaign for U.S. Senate.

The campaign released a list of 71 names Thursday, including these local legislators: Rep. Eric Burlison, Rep. Mike Cunningham, Rep. Charlie Denison, Rep. Bob Dixon, Rep. Mike Parson, Rep. Darrell Pollock, Speaker Ron Richard, Rep. Don Ruzicka, Rep. David Sater, Rep. Shane Schoeller, Rep. Jim Viebrock, Rep. Maynard Wallace, Rep. Jay Wasson, Rep. Ray Weter, Rep. Dennis Wood.

In a prepared statement Majority Floor Leader Steve Tilley said: "You can tell by the large number of legislators who support Roy that they know him, admire him tremendously, and trust him to do an excellent job for Missouri. We all want a strong candidate at the top of the ticket, to keep the state House on a conservative course. Roy’s many accomplishments include one that is incredibly important to the people I represent, the largest tax cut for families in American history. We need him in the U.S. Senate, and a lot more just like him."

Notables not on the list include: Rep. Brian Yates, Rep. Rob Schaaf, Rep. Jim Guest, Rep. David Day, Rep. Tony Dugger and Rep. Cynthia Davis.

A Steelman fan e-mails The Notebook this four-word response: "Kenny Hulshof Part Deux"

More from the Mailbag: "I hear they have a 71 vote lead."