Demonstrators plan last-ditch effort to stop Dorsey execution; Parson denies clemency
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missourians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty are planning demonstrations against the execution of a Mid-Missouri double murderer.
Dorsey was convicted for the murders of his cousin and her husband in 2006. His execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.
Dozens of former corrections officers, a warden and Dorsey's high school football coach have all petitioned Gov. Mike Parson for clemency.
Parson denied clemency to Dorsey on Monday, according to an email from his attorney's law firm. Parson's office later sent a news release confirming that the execution would take place Tuesday as scheduled.
Advocates also delivered petitions to Parson's office last week. They cite Dorsey’s rehabilitation and what they call an unjust death sentence.
ABC 17 News spoke with co-director of Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Michelle Smith regarding Dorsey and she said it's their goal to uplift his humanity and to speak about the person he has become.
"We know that the worst thing you've ever done in your life does not define you," said Smith. "It is one aspect of who you are. And it's something, you know, like Brian, many others deal with every single day. But also it doesn't define the human that he is. And so we, you know, have been talking about, you know, what type of person he is today, how remorseful he is, and also what he's done to better himself."
Dorsey's clemency petition says he is deeply remorseful for the murders and that it happened while Dorsey was suffering a “drug-induced psychosis and alcohol-induced blackout,” making him incapable of the deliberation required for a first-degree murder charge.
Missourians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty is planning a demonstration now that the state decided to move forward with the execution.
Smith said, "we will, host, what we call vigils across the state where people, mostly people of faith will come together in prayer and, you know, just amplify, Brian in his life, and that will happen in several cities."
One demonstration will be at noon in Jefferson City at the Capitol, another will be in St. Louis at 3 p.m. at the City Ciruit Court, in Kansas City at 5 p.m. at 39th and Troost and in Columbia at 5 p.m. at the Boone County Courthouse. Their final demonstration will be at Boone Terre at 5:30 p.m.
