Missouri’s governor has rejected a clemency request from a convicted killer who is scheduled to be executed Tuesday evening in Bonne Terre.
Governor Mike Kehoe has denied clemency for 48-year-old Lance Shockley, who was convicted of first degree murder for the 2005 ambush and murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl DeWayne Graham Jr. That means barring intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court or a federal judge, Shockley will be executed by lethal injection Tuesday evening at the state’s maximum-security prison in Bonne Terre.
The governor says Shockley ambushed Sergeant Graham near southeast Missouri’s Van Buren, shooting him from behind with a rifle, paralyzing him. Governor Kehoe says Shockley then fired shotgun blasts into Sergeant Graham’s face and shoulder. The governor says Shockley has received every legal protection afforded to him under the state and U.S. Constitutions.
Amnesty International urged the governor to block the execution. Amnesty International says there were significant irregularities that marred jury deliberations and also allege there was misconduct by the jury foreman. Amnesty International also says Shockley has been a positive force at the maximum-security Potosi Correctional Center, leading inmates in prayer.
At the time of the 2005 murder, Governor Kehoe says Sergeant Graham was investigating the manslaughter of Jeffrey Bayless, a passenger who died while riding in a vehicle with Shockley.