At 6 p.m. on October 14, 2025, the state of Missouri executed Lance Shockley for the murder of Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham. In his final public statement, Shockley said, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
On the day of the execution, the Missouri Catholic Conference held a vigil at the Missouri Capitol building in concert with the Missourians for the Abolition of the Death Penalty organization. At the conclusion of the rally, the group delivered to the governor’s office a clemency petition that had been signed by thousands of people from both the United States and abroad. Shockley’s execution was the only Missouri execution carried out in 2025, and the first one under the tenure of Governor Mike Kehoe. No additional executions are currently scheduled in the state of Missouri.
The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to the death penalty because it disregards the inviolability and dignity of the person, is no longer necessary to protect society, it does not impose a just punishment commensurate to the crime, and it deprives the offender of the opportunity for redemption. If you would like to contact Governor Kehoe regarding capital punishment in Missouri, you can reach his office via phone at (573) 751-3222 or email him here.