Hosier executed for Jefferson City killings
BONNE TERRE, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man accused of the killing of a Jefferson City couple has died for those crimes.
David Hosier, 69, was executed Tuesday evening at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center for the killings of Rodney and Angela Gilpin in 2009. He was sentenced to death in 2013 after being convicted of first-degree murder.
The Associated Press reported that Hosier had died by lethal injection at 6:11 p.m.
Hosier has recently suffered from heart issues. His legal team lobbied the courts and Gov. Mike Parson to spare Hosier's life to no success.
Hosier and Angela Gilpin had an affair but she was trying to reconcile with her husband when the couple was found shot to death at her apartment in September 2009.
Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty submitted a petition last week with more than 6,000 signatures that asked Parson to give clemency to Hosier.
A group of roughly 50 protesters gathered outside the prison during Tuesday night's execution, continuing their fight against the death penalty. Co-Director of the MADP Elyse Max said on Tuesday night that she feels the amount of executions in Missouri is concerning.
"I say life without parole is a very harsh punishment... and it's no excuse for actions," Max said. "I say that by actually murdering someone who has committed murder you're condoning it in a way as being an appropriate punishment, as something that's okay to be used in our society and it's not."
Tuesday's execution will be the 11th under Parson since he became governor in 2018. Four of those cases have been in Mid-Missouri, with Hosier's marking the fourth.
Hosier maintained that he was innocent until his death.
In his final statement, Hosier said, "I'm the luckiest man on earth. Just in the last few weeks, I've been able to speak the truth of my innocence. I've been able to set an example of resistance to lawyers who bully their clients," the statement read. "I've been able to reminisce with family and friends new and old. I've been able to learn to be, the fullest version of me. I couldn't have done any of it without the greatest death row spiritual advisor in history, Rev. Hood. I leave you all with love. Now, I get to go to heaven. Don't cry for me. Just join me when your time comes."
Hosier's spiritual advisor Jeff Hood said that Hosier's family did not attend his execution. He said Hosier's final words were in reference to a need for people to continue to push to have the death penalty abolished.
