[Deathpenalty] death penalty news:----MISSOURI----Roderick Nunley Execution Set for September 1

[Rick Halperin]

Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Execution Alert: Roderick Nunley Faces Lethal Injection

Execution Date: September 1, 2015



Missouri plans to execute Roderick Nunley on September 1 at 6 p.m.  The state 
charged Nunley with
first-degree murder for the abduction and death of a young woman, Ann Harrison, 
who was waiting for
a school bus in Kansas City, Missouri.  Expressing genuine remorse, Roderick 
immediately took
responsibility for his crime following his arrest.  He gave the police a 
detailed statement, told
his attorney he was guilty and accepted that he deserved punishment.  He was 
ready to accept life in
prison without the possibility of parole.

Despite repeated judicial directives, a jury never heard Roderick’s social 
history or received
mitigation evidence to evaluate the sentence appropriate to his case.  A judge 
alone made the
capital sentencing decision.  Medical examiners  testified that Roderick 
suffers from “severe
personality disorder,” stemming, in part, from a “seizure disorder from 
numerous [childhood] head
injuries.”  Finally, they also indicated cocaine use rendered Roderick “acutely 
intoxicated” during
the time in question.

While the rest of the nation is moving away from the death penalty because of 
concerns about
systemic geographic and racial arbitrariness,  cost,  and the impact on those 
with serious mental
health problems and intellectual disabilities,  Missouri is continuing on pace 
for a record number
of executions this year.  MADP extends its condolences to the Harrison family 
and all families that
have lost loved ones to violence, but we firmly believe that the death penalty 
only continues the
cycle of violence and fails to make our society safer.



Actions Needed Immediately

  *  Contact Governor Nixon to urge that he stay Mr. Nunley’s execution.  Call 
573-751-3222.
  *  Contact Attorney General Chris Koster to urge that he ensure justice by 
facilitating the stay.
     Call 573-751-3321.



Please join us as we gather around the state to remember victims of violence 
and urge the state to
not commit another act of violence in their names.  Missouri is planning 
vigils in cities across the
state to raise awareness and call attention to the case of Roderick Nunley, who 
faces execution on
Tuesday, September 1 at 6 p.m. The vigils will take place on September 1, 
unless otherwise noted.



Bonne Terre:  A candlelight vigil will be held outside the prison where the 
execution takes place,
2727 Highway K. For more information email stlouis at madpmo.org, or call Margaret 
at 314-322-5159.

Columbia:  5 pm to 6 pm, Boone County Courthouse, in front of the columns, 
corner of Walnut and
8th.  For more information contact 573-449-4585.

O-Fallon:  Monday, August 31, 7 p.m. Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in 
O'Fallon. Coordinatior: Sr. Ellen Orf:   email: elorf at cpps-ofallon.org   phone: 
636-293-8253

Instructions to the Chapel:  I-70 to O'Fallon K--M exit (Main St.). Turn right 
from the exit ramp
and head north to railroad tracks; after crossing tracks, you will see the 
O'Fallon City Hall
complex, the former convent and junior college; go past the entrance to the 
next right and turn in
there.

Jefferson City, Capitol vigil:  12 pm - 1pm. A respectful Vigil for Life 
outside of the Governor's
office, Second Floor (Room 216) of the State Capitol Building.

Jefferson City: Prayer service, 4:30 pm, in St. Peter's Chapel, Broadway St. 5- 
6 pm.  Vigil across
from the Supreme Court Building at 207 West High Street, 4:30-5:30. For more 
information
contact 573-301-3529.

Joplin: Prayer begins at 5:30 pm. St. Peter the Apostle Church, Mass begins at 
6 p.m. followed by
continued prayer.  Contact Fr J. Friedel for more information, at 417-623-8643.

Kansas City:  Watch at Intersection of 39th and Troost, 5-6 pm. For more info 
contact 816-206-8692.

Springfield: Park Central Square, 12 noon to 1 pm. For more information call 
Donna, 417-459-2960.

St. Joseph:  4:30 pm at the intersection of Belt & Frederick. Contact Jean 
at 816-671-9281 for more
info.

St. Louis:  3 p.m. - 4 p.m.  Vigil on the steps of St. Francis Xavier Church at 
the corner of Grand
and Lindell. A group will carpool from there to reach Bonne Terre  before 6 
p.m..  For more
information email stlouis at madpmo.org, or call Margaret at 314-322-5159.


6320 Brookside Plaza, Suite 185
Kansas City, MO 64113
United States