Execution date set for Dennis Skillicorn
UPDATE: EXECUTION STAYED 30 DAYS
August 20th, The Missouri Supreme Court vacated Dennis' Aug. 27 execution date and said it would set another date at the first available time after a 30-day period has expired following Aug. 27. We will keep you posted as details emerge. Calls and Letters to the Governor and Board of Probation and Parole are still greatly appreciated.News Articles about the stay
8/21/08 St. Louis Post Dispatch "The quality of mercy"
8/21/08 KWMU "Missouri Supreme Court postpones first execution in three years"
8/21/08 St. Louis Post Dispatch "Missouri court delays scheduled execution"
8/21/08 Digitalburg "Missouri Supreme Court delays Skillicorn execution"
On Friday 7/25 the Missouri Supreme Court set August 27th as the execution date for Dennis Skillicorn. Dennis was not the triggerman in the 1994 murder of Richard Drummond. Skillicorn was a quarter mile away in a car when Allen Nicklasson killed Drummond. NIcklasson has repeatedly stated that Dennis Skillicorn was in no way involved with the murder. Skillicorn has served in a variety of leadership and ministry positions while imprisoned. Since 2003, Skillicorn has served as the editor of Compassion , a magazine written by death row inmates and distributed to all death row inmates across the country. Funds generated from the sale of Compassion go to college scholarships for family members of murder victims.
See a complete list of Dennis' works while imprisoned.
Clemency Petitions and Press Releases
Clemency Petition from MADPPress Release from MADP
Clemency Petition from the Missouri Catholic Conference
Press Release from the Missouri Catholic Conference
News Articles
8/19/08 Springfield Newsleader "Execution of Dennis Skillicorn will end good works"
8/19/08 St. Joseph News-Press "Vigil for lingering questions"
8/15/08 The Catholic Key: "Petition seeks clemency for death row inmate"
8/15/08 St. Louis Review: " MO Bishops oppose man's execution"
8/15/08 Kansas City Star: " Group looks to prevent killer's death "
8/15/08 Chicago Sun Times "Catholics, Protestants ask group to spare man's life "
8/14/08 KWMU NPR "Group Seeks Clemency from MO. death row inmate"
8/14/08 St. Louis Post Dispatch: "Blunt asked to commute death sentence "
8/13/08 Columbia Daily Tribune: "Churches Seek Mercy for Inmate "
8/13/08 Kansas City Star: "Church Leaders ask Blunt to Commute Death Sentence"
8/12/08 KRCG Mid Missouri: "Church Leaders Ask MO. Gov. to Commute Sentence"
7/26/08 St. Louis Post Dispatch: "MO Supreme Court to set execution date"
7/25/08 Missourinet: "Supreme Court sets execution date in Lafayette County killing"
7/25/08 Kansas City Star: "Execution date set for man involved in 'Good Samaritan' killing"
Vigils for clemency taking place around the state Tuesday 8/26/08:
Bonne Terre: 11:00pm-12:01am: candlelight vigil outside the Bonne Terre prison, 2727 Hwy K at Coplin Rd., near the entrance. More information: Colleen Cunningham, 314-256-9810.Columbia: Vigil 5:00-6:00 pm, Tuesday, Boone Co. Courthouse. More information: Jeff Stack, 573-449-4585.
Jackson: Vigil immediately following 6:30 Mass, Immaculate Conception Parish, 208 S. Hope St.. More information: Kim Sellers 573- 243-3182.
Jefferson City: Prayer Service, 10:45 pm, St. Peter’s Catholic Church; More information Rita Linhardt, 573-635-7239.
Jefferson City: Vigil, 11:00 pm until 12:01 am, 207 W. High St. across from Supreme Court. More information: Rita Linhardt, 573-635-7239.
Kansas City: Vigil, 5-6 pm, J.C. Nichols Fountain in the Plaza. More information: Donnie Morehouse, 816-756-3113 x 234.
O’Fallon: Vigil and Prayer Service, Date TBA St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. More info: hogane39@charter.net
Savannah: Vigil, 7:00 P.M. LaVerna Heights Building, St. Francis Chapel. More information: Sr. Christine Martin, 816-324-3179
Springfield: Vigil 7:00pm, St. Agnes Cathedral, 533 S. Jefferson. More Information: Sr. Barbara Dingman, 417-831 3565.
St. Louis: Prayer service sponsored by The Intercommunity Justice Coordinators, 7:30 at St. Francis Xavier Church. More information: Diana Oleskevich CSJA, 314-678-0317.
St. Louis: Vigil 8:15-9:00, in front of church. Carpooling to Bonne Terre to follow. More information: David McNeil, 314-727-1146.
News Articles
8/13/08 Columbia Daily Tribune: "Churches Seek Mercy for Inmate. "
8/13/08 Kansas City Star: "Church Leaders ask Blunt to Commute Death Sentence"
8/12/08 KRCG Mid Missouri: "Church Leaders Ask MO. Gov. to Commute Sentence"
7/26/08 St. Louis Post Dispatch: "MO Supreme Court to set execution date"
7/25/08 Missourinet: "Supreme Court sets execution date in Lafayette County killing"
7/25/08 Kansas City Star: "Execution date set for man involved in 'Good Samaritan' killing"
More information about Dennis and his works
Click here to visit the Compassion websiteDetails of Dennis Skillicorns' Case
Click here for a biography of Dennis Skillicorn
Read a press release about the work of Dennis Skillicorn and Compassion