Former Jefferson City football coach urges governor in video to stop Dorsey execution
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A former football coach for the Jefferson City Jays is pushing for Gov. Mike Parson to stop the upcoming execution of Brian Dorsey.
Dorsey, 52, has an execution date set for Tuesday. Dorsey was found guilty by a Boone County jury in 2008 for shooting and killing his cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben in December of 2006 at their home in New Bloomfield.
He was sentenced to two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death.
Former Jefferson City football coach Pete Adkins coached the team for decades, including when Dorsey was on the team. In a video recorded in the summer of 2023 that was shared recently, Adkins claims Dorsey should be spared, on claims he's changed since his conviction.
"I believe we don't need to take a life from a young man like that," Adkins said. "I would think that would be a hard call for you to make, and I hope that you won't make that call."
Adkins has shared similar sentiments about Dorsey in the past.
Dorsey and his lawyers have consistently fought the conviction. A recent attempt to stop the execution came on Tuesday, about a week before he is scheduled to die. Dorsey's legal team appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution on claims the flat fee paid to his public defender violates his rights.
Dorsey claims the fees don't allow him to be represented properly. He also claims his legal team failed to disclose to the jury his drug addiction during the time of the killings.
Dorsey's legal team also sued Parson and Trevor Foley, the acting director of the Department of Corrections. His attorneys argued that as the acting director, Foley does not have the right to oversee all aspects of an execution. The Supreme Court rejected this on Tuesday. The judge ruled that a circuit court couldn't stop the execution, and stated the matter should be handled by the Missouri Supreme Court.
Dozens of corrections officers have asked Parson to grant Dorsey clemency, on claims he's avoided trouble while in prison. Surviving family members have previously stated Dorsey should not be granted clemency, due to betraying the trust of the family.
Parson's office has said it is reviewing the request for clemency.
