August 14, 2008
Dear Governor Blunt:
Executive Clemency is an integral piece of our justice system for two reasons. First, it serves as a last line of defense in a criminal justice system that is capable of error: the Governor is empowered to ensure that the decisions of the court are truly just by examining all available evidence and, when appropriate, exercising clemency to prevent a grave injustice from taking place. Second, clemency represents our society’s highest values, especially compassion and redemption.
We, the undersigned, are writing to you because we think that Dennis Skillicorn’s case epitomizes the need for Executive Clemency. We ask that his death sentence be changed to a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
His case is unique. Mr. Skillicorn was sentenced to death as an accomplice in the murder of Richard Drummond. Based on sworn testimony, Skillicorn was not present when Mr. Drummond was murdered.
Allen Nicklasson, Skillicorn’s co-defendant, has consistently stated since the time of the murder, that Dennis Skillicorn had no knowledge of his intention to kill Mr. Drummond and that Dennis Skillicorn was at least a quarter of a mile away sitting in a car, while Nicklasson shot and killed Drummond.
In a sworn affidavit, Mr. Nicklasson stated: “I have maintained from the day of my arrest that Dennis had absolutely no knowledge that I would murder Mr. Richard Drummond.” He explains, “I told Drummond to pull over and get out. I had every intention of tying him to a tree. I told Dennis and Tim to stay by the car. Dennis tried to keep me calm. I told them I was going to tie him up and not to worry. I told them this would give us time to get back to Blue Springs before Drummond could call the cops. Dennis would have had no reason to doubt me.” Nicklasson continues, “Dennis was scared to death that if he didn’t go along, I’d kill him, and at the time, I just might have.”
And yet Allen Nicklasson pled the fifth during Dennis Skillicorn’s trial, so the jury never heard this information. This crucial information could easily have made the difference between a life and death sentence.
Mr. Skillicorn’s case is also unique because, while many criminals claim reform, Mr. Skillicorn has consistently and passionately demonstrated his commitment to rehabilitation for himself and many others.
As an inmate at Potosi Correctional Center Mr. Skillicorn has demonstrated his respect for life by working for the prison’s hospice program. Through his book Today’s Choices Affect Tomorrow’s Dreams, he has reached out to young offenders, teaching them the skills needed to avoid a life of crime. He is the editor of Compassion Magazine,
a publication, written by death row inmates, that focuses on restorative justice and has raised $34,000 in scholarships for murder victims’ family members. He has served as a minister, founded a family-strengthening program, led an anti-smoking campaign aimed at local school children, and initiated an annual charity carnival as a way for inmates to give back to local charities.
While he did not kill Richard Drummond, Dennis Skillicorn is remorseful for not stopping the murder. Truly, he has devoted his life to making amends for the terrible choices he did make, and by doing so, Dennis has improved and enriched the lives of thousands of individuals.
We ask that you grant clemency to Dennis Skillicorn. A grave injustice took place when the jury did not hear the whole story. And we ask that you grant clemency to Dennis Skillicorn to show that redemption and compassion are living and breathing in the state of Missouri. Spending the rest of his life in prison will enable Mr. Skillicorn to continue to be punished for his involvement in Richard Drummond’s murder and allow him to continue to give back to the state of Missouri.
Respectfully Submitted,
Signed by over 150 Missourians
