Missouri prepares to execute man for killing officer in 2005

By JIM SALTER
Associated Press

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri inmate convicted of ambushing and killing a St. Louis area police officer he blamed for his younger brother’s death is scheduled to be executed, barring a last-minute intervention. Kevin Johnson’s attorneys don’t deny that he killed Kirkwood police Officer William McEntee in 2005, but contended in an appeal before the Missouri Supreme Court that he was sentenced to death in part because he is Black. In a 5-2 ruling late Monday, the state Supreme Court denied a stay. Johnson’s lawyers appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and it also denied him. Gov. Mike Parson on Monday announced he would not grant clemency. Johnson is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday evening.