Walter Barton Execution Set

he state of Missouri has set an execution date of May 19 for Walter Barton, who was convicted of stabbing Gladys Kuehler to death in 1991. Mr. Barton has maintained his innocence through five separate trials that have been marred by prosecutorial misconduct. While the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed Mr. Barton's conviction and death sentence, the three dissenting Missouri Supreme Court Justices stated that the evidence against Mr. Barton was "not overwhelming" and was insufficient to warrant the death penalty. 

The state of Missouri has executed 89 persons since reinstatement of the death penalty. The most recent was Russell Bucklew in October, 2019. Many states are halting scheduled executions during the coronavirus pandemic, and the Governor hasn't  yet indicated as to whether he will go forward in Mr. Barton's case. The MCC will be sending a clemency petition to the governor asking him to commute Mr. Barton's sentence to life without parole.