help Dennis Skillicorn
Target:
date set aug 27 200/
Sponsored by:
On Friday, despite the fact that we have two issues before the court, the Missouri Supreme Court set an execution date of Aug. 27. For those of you who would like to do anything to help try to prevent this state from killing my husband, your help is welcome and there are some fairly simple things you can do. For those who are not aware of the facts of the case, here are some main points:Allen Nicklasson, the man who shot and killed Richard Drummond in Aug. 1994 did so on his own after leaving Dennis behind in the stolen car. Allen has been consistent in telling the truth since day one - with his friends and close acquaintances, as well as with law enforcement - that Dennis had absolutely no idea that when Allen walked Drummond into the woods, Allen was going to shoot him. Allen had planned to tie Drummond up so that by the time Drummond could free himself and walk into town to all police, Allen, Dennis and Tim DeGraffenreid would be back in Blue Springs, hiding out.Instead, Allen decided to kill Drummond. His statements to police have been consistent and truthful, but the state successfully kept Allen from testifying in trial. The jury never heard the truth and thus convicted Dennis for first-degree murder as an accomplice. Allen has tried through the years to be heard in court, but the appellate courts denied him that right as well. We are still trying to get the Supreme Court to look at Allen's statements. Dennis is not an innocent victim, but he is innocent of first-degree murder. We are not asking that he be freed. We believe the sentence of death is excessive in this case, and that society would be safe and justice would be served through clemency, which means we want the governor to change Dennis' sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.In addition, Dennis has been actively involved in restorative justice even before the program was established at Potosi Correctional Center. He is the editor of Compassion, a publication written and edited by death row inmates across the country who have raised more than $34,000 in college scholarships for family members of murdered victims. This scholarship goes to family members regardless of their stance on the death penalty. For example, Zach Osbourne, one of the recipients, supports the death penalty openly and is going to school to become a police officer. Dennis compiled a book, "Today's Choices Affect Tomorrow's Dreams," that is distributed for free to juvenile centers around the country. The book has been so popular, he has been asked to do another. That book is currently being compiled.Dennis is chairman of the prison's Hospice group and has cared for many dying prison patients through the years. He is a co-founder of 4-H LIFE, a family strengthening program that teaches inmates to be better parents and includes a family 4-H meeting each month inside the prison. As a former president and officer of 4-H, Dennis has led fundraisers to send money to children's programs in the state and to send 4-H LIFE members to summer camp and state leadership programs. 4-H LIFE has won several awards and is now active in several other prisons.Dennis has actively worked to build bridges between the Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Islamic and Native American religious groups at the prison. He is a founder of the Charity Carnival - in its second year - that raises money inside the prison for charitable organizations. The carnival is today, but he is locked up and cannot carry out his responsibilities for that event.Dennis speaks to university student groups on a regular basis to give them insight into the death penalty and prison life. He is, and remains, a positive spokesman and positive role models for other prisoners.He is a leader in the Set Free Ministry, a prison ministry that works with thousands of inmates in Missouri and Illinois to help them in their Christian walk. The Ministry has grown from an office of three to an office of around 20 inmates at PCC and a second office in Charleston's prison. The Ministry continues to expand in prisons in the two states as well as into jails.All of this is documented, not the exaggerated account of a wife desperate to save her husband.For those of you who have asked, I am terrified, but determined to fight for justice for my family. Murdering my husband is not justice - it is harming me, my son, Dennis' sisters, brother, nephews, aunts uncles, friends, etc. He is my soulmate, for those of you who understand what that means. A date is an extremely serious situation, but we have issues to pursue and this does not mean we're done. Please do not assume that this is inevitable, even though we have a very, very difficult fight in the next 32 days.I appreciate your support in any way. Should you want to write letters, file amicus briefs (friend of the court) with your church or other organization, let me know and I'll give you more info. If you choose to pray, please ask God to intervene and see that Dennis receives a lesser sentence.Thanks.
On Friday, despite the fact that we have two issues before the court, the Missouri Supreme Court set an execution date of Aug. 27. For those of you who would like to do anything to help try to prevent this state from killing my husband, your help is welcome and there are some fairly simple things you can do. For those who are not aware of the facts of the case, here are some main points:Allen Nicklasson, the man who shot and killed Richard Drummond in Aug. 1994 did so on his own after leaving Dennis behind in the stolen car. Allen has been consistent in telling the truth since day one - with his friends and close acquaintances, as well as with law enforcement - that Dennis had absolutely no idea that when Allen walked Drummond into the woods, Allen was going to shoot him. Allen had planned to tie Drummond up so that by the time Drummond could free himself and walk into town to all police, Allen, Dennis and Tim DeGraffenreid would be back in Blue Springs, hiding out.Instead, Allen decided to kill Drummond. His statements to police have been consistent and truthful, but the state successfully kept Allen from testifying in trial. The jury never heard the truth and thus convicted Dennis for first-degree murder as an accomplice. Allen has tried through the years to be heard in court, but the appellate courts denied him that right as well. We are still trying to get the Supreme Court to look at Allen's statements. Dennis is not an innocent victim, but he is innocent of first-degree murder. We are not asking that he be freed. We believe the sentence of death is excessive in this case, and that society would be safe and justice would be served through clemency, which means we want the governor to change Dennis' sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.In addition, Dennis has been actively involved in restorative justice even before the program was established at Potosi Correctional Center. He is the editor of Compassion, a publication written and edited by death row inmates across the country who have raised more than $34,000 in college scholarships for family members of murdered victims. This scholarship goes to family members regardless of their stance on the death penalty. For example, Zach Osbourne, one of the recipients, supports the death penalty openly and is going to school to become a police officer. Dennis compiled a book, "Today's Choices Affect Tomorrow's Dreams," that is distributed for free to juvenile centers around the country. The book has been so popular, he has been asked to do another. That book is currently being compiled.Dennis is chairman of the prison's Hospice group and has cared for many dying prison patients through the years. He is a co-founder of 4-H LIFE, a family strengthening program that teaches inmates to be better parents and includes a family 4-H meeting each month inside the prison. As a former president and officer of 4-H, Dennis has led fundraisers to send money to children's programs in the state and to send 4-H LIFE members to summer camp and state leadership programs. 4-H LIFE has won several awards and is now active in several other prisons.Dennis has actively worked to build bridges between the Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Islamic and Native American religious groups at the prison. He is a founder of the Charity Carnival - in its second year - that raises money inside the prison for charitable organizations. The carnival is today, but he is locked up and cannot carry out his responsibilities for that event.Dennis speaks to university student groups on a regular basis to give them insight into the death penalty and prison life. He is, and remains, a positive spokesman and positive role models for other prisoners.He is a leader in the Set Free Ministry, a prison ministry that works with thousands of inmates in Missouri and Illinois to help them in their Christian walk. The Ministry has grown from an office of three to an office of around 20 inmates at PCC and a second office in Charleston's prison. The Ministry continues to expand in prisons in the two states as well as into jails.All of this is documented, not the exaggerated account of a wife desperate to save her husband.For those of you who have asked, I am terrified, but determined to fight for justice for my family. Murdering my husband is not justice - it is harming me, my son, Dennis' sisters, brother, nephews, aunts uncles, friends, etc. He is my soulmate, for those of you who understand what that means. A date is an extremely serious situation, but we have issues to pursue and this does not mean we're done. Please do not assume that this is inevitable, even though we have a very, very difficult fight in the next 32 days.I appreciate your support in any way. Should you want to write letters, file amicus briefs (friend of the court) with your church or other organization, let me know and I'll give you more info. If you choose to pray, please ask God to intervene and see that Dennis receives a lesser sentence.Thanks.
We signed the "help Dennis Skillicorn" petition!
# 386:
7:40 am PST, Jan 9,
Hubert Delgrange, France
# 385:
11:27 am PST, Dec 9,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
NO MORE DEATH PENALTY!
NO MORE DEATH PENALTY!
# 384:
8:13 am PST, Nov 21,
Kathleen Medina, Puerto Rico
# 383:
6:12 pm PST, Nov 18,
Carlos Kjellander, California
In 1988 my Son Richie was kidnapped and murdered by a child Molester. He was killed in August and his body was not found until November. I found the police investigation to be a joke and I spent over $7,000.00 on private investigators. The suspect was sent to prision but for some other crime. My politics tend to be conservative, but I am opposed to the death penalty because there are so many Mistakes made in the administration of it. I would very much like to see the death penalty abolished.
In 1988 my Son Richie was kidnapped and murdered by a child Molester. He was killed in August and his body was not found until November. I found the police investigation to be a joke and I spent over $7,000.00 on private investigators. The suspect was sent to prision but for some other crime. My politics tend to be conservative, but I am opposed to the death penalty because there are so many Mistakes made in the administration of it. I would very much like to see the death penalty abolished.
# 382:
11:31 am PST, Nov 7,
Gilles Denizot, Germany
Abolish Death Penalty
Abolish Death Penalty
# 380:
9:05 am PDT, Oct 28,
Brian Melton, Idaho
I urge you to pardon Dennis Skillcorn. Spare his life and let him repay his debt to society through a life sentence.
I urge you to pardon Dennis Skillcorn. Spare his life and let him repay his debt to society through a life sentence.
# 379:
7:35 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ginger Cosentino, Arizona
# 378:
5:39 am PDT, Oct 16,
Gustavo Ramos, Missouri
# 377:
11:39 am PDT, Oct 6,
Virginia Adams, Arizona
Not all the facts are beingpresented in this petition,I would suggest anyone willing to sign in readup on the case.. and CASES Dennis Skillicorn was involved in. He murdered not justthis man but others! Don't spare a man who did 13years for murder.. then got out and participated in 3, possibly 4 more murders. He obviously got nothing out of his first 13 years in jail for the murder of Wendell Howell.
Not all the facts are beingpresented in this petition,I would suggest anyone willing to sign in readup on the case.. and CASES Dennis Skillicorn was involved in. He murdered not justthis man but others! Don't spare a man who did 13years for murder.. then got out and participated in 3, possibly 4 more murders. He obviously got nothing out of his first 13 years in jail for the murder of Wendell Howell.
# 376:
10:15 am PDT, Oct 3,
Norman Bodenstein, Missouri
# 375:
9:53 am PDT, Oct 3,
Blake Lowe, Kansas
# 374:
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6:08 am PDT, Oct 2,
Kat Mosi Yazzie, Kansas
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# 373:
8:50 am PDT, Sep 30,
Emmeline Holt, United Kingdom
I am finding the dealth penalty increasingly arbitrary within the United States and there seems to be no set rule as to who is to be sentanced. This in an exceptionally excessive punishment to his crime and while not decrying what has happend to the victim, I believe if this execution is to be carried on, a terrible miscarriage of justice will have taken place that the state of Missouri should be truly ashamed of.
I am finding the dealth penalty increasingly arbitrary within the United States and there seems to be no set rule as to who is to be sentanced. This in an exceptionally excessive punishment to his crime and while not decrying what has happend to the victim, I believe if this execution is to be carried on, a terrible miscarriage of justice will have taken place that the state of Missouri should be truly ashamed of.
# 372:
1:09 am PDT, Sep 30,
Penelope Wheat, United Kingdom
A positive individual and good role model to potential inmates.
A positive individual and good role model to potential inmates.
# 371:
12:26 pm PDT, Sep 28,
Nikki Laidler, United Kingdom
# 370:
2:27 am PDT, Sep 26,
Simos Tarabatzis, Greece
# 369:
6:28 pm PDT, Sep 23,
Name not displayed, Missouri
That's a pretty good story. It's too bad you didn't finish it. You forgot to mention the fact that after they killed Dick Drummond that Dennis and Allen drove to Arizona and killed an elderly couple then ate their fried chicken dinner. Allen really didn't realize they were going to eat their dinner after they brutally murdered them either I suppose. Tell me another sob story about how Dennnis deserves to live. Tell his 3 beautiful daughters who never got to know their Dad. Or the other many things they will never get back. They will pay the price for a cowards act forever.I believe sometimes lives can be spared and there should be redemption. Not this time... Dennis Skillicorn was a coward and does not desevere another minute on this earth.If your foolish enough to fall for a convicts desperate attempts to spare his own miserable life then I feel sorry for you. You need prayers. I have solice in knowing that DEnnis and Allen will someday face an even greater judgement. I wonder what the almighty judge will think of his lifes account!
That's a pretty good story. It's too bad you didn't finish it. You forgot to mention the fact that after they killed Dick Drummond that Dennis and Allen drove to Arizona and killed an elderly couple then ate their fried chicken dinner. Allen really didn't realize they were going to eat their dinner after they brutally murdered them either I suppose. Tell me another sob story about how Dennnis deserves to live. Tell his 3 beautiful daughters who never got to know their Dad. Or the other many things they will never get back. They will pay the price for a cowards act forever.I believe sometimes lives can be spared and there should be redemption. Not this time... Dennis Skillicorn was a coward and does not desevere another minute on this earth.If your foolish enough to fall for a convicts desperate attempts to spare his own miserable life then I feel sorry for you. You need prayers. I have solice in knowing that DEnnis and Allen will someday face an even greater judgement. I wonder what the almighty judge will think of his lifes account!
# 368:
6:08 pm PDT, Sep 23,
Name not displayed, Missouri
WHAT A JOKE! DENNIS SKILLICORN IS A MURDERER. HE MURDERED THE FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD TO GROW UP WITHOUT THEIR WONDERFUL DAD. MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THE CONSEQUENCES. NO ONE WAS THERE TO SIGN A PETITION FOR DICK DRUMMOND IN THOSE WOODS THAT FATEFUL NIGHT. BURN IN HELL, DENNIS SKILLICORN
WHAT A JOKE! DENNIS SKILLICORN IS A MURDERER. HE MURDERED THE FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN WHO HAVE HAD TO GROW UP WITHOUT THEIR WONDERFUL DAD. MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THE CONSEQUENCES. NO ONE WAS THERE TO SIGN A PETITION FOR DICK DRUMMOND IN THOSE WOODS THAT FATEFUL NIGHT. BURN IN HELL, DENNIS SKILLICORN
# 367:
11:38 am PDT, Sep 18,
Abin Amatya, Missouri
# 366:
1:53 pm PDT, Sep 16,
Ester Jackson, Germany
# 365:
7:20 pm PDT, Sep 15,
Paul Niemann, Missouri
# 364:
8:12 am PDT, Sep 14,
Monica Bizelli, Missouri
# 363:
8:25 pm PDT, Sep 6,
Jean Basinger, Iowa
# 362:
6:06 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Aubrey Harris, Canada
It is time for the United States to catch-up with the moral leadership in the world and abolish the death penalty, instead of expanding the application of it to non-lethal crimes and persons not knowingly involved in a capital crime.
It is time for the United States to catch-up with the moral leadership in the world and abolish the death penalty, instead of expanding the application of it to non-lethal crimes and persons not knowingly involved in a capital crime.
# 361:
5:21 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Tina Gross, Minnesota
# 360:
1:44 pm PDT, Aug 29,
Jayne Riley, United Kingdom
Please allow this man to give his testimony and give him a fair trial.
Please allow this man to give his testimony and give him a fair trial.
# 359:
1:26 am PDT, Aug 29,
Jerroll Sanders, Missouri
My organization (ONUS) is currently studying the workings of the judiciary. We are discovering a persistent pattern where the accused are being prevented from presenting all facts relevant to their defense--facts that are essential to their right to "due process" under the law. Such seems to be the case in Dennis Skillcorn's case. I sign this petition aware that Skillcorn is not asking for exoneration, but the opportunity to continue his life in support and aid of others. Taking his life cannot change one fact or outcome in the past; sparing his life, however, will allow him to continue enhancing the lives of others. I pray that you spare his life and let him continue doing good. We desperately need more people who are willing to do good in this world.
My organization (ONUS) is currently studying the workings of the judiciary. We are discovering a persistent pattern where the accused are being prevented from presenting all facts relevant to their defense--facts that are essential to their right to "due process" under the law. Such seems to be the case in Dennis Skillcorn's case. I sign this petition aware that Skillcorn is not asking for exoneration, but the opportunity to continue his life in support and aid of others. Taking his life cannot change one fact or outcome in the past; sparing his life, however, will allow him to continue enhancing the lives of others. I pray that you spare his life and let him continue doing good. We desperately need more people who are willing to do good in this world.
# 358:
12:51 pm PDT, Aug 28,
Donna Ann Armentrout, Missouri
I have known Dennis indirectly as a friend of my husband for 7 years now. Granted, knowing a person indirectly and under his current circumstances does not make for a typical relationship, but there are people I know even more casually than that and can make a judgment on whether they are somebody I care to associate with or not. Dennis has a good heart and has reached out beyond the bars and touched more lives than most people who are not impacted by his restraints. In my eyes, only God has the right to condemn or condone a person and their behavior. No man has that right. And taking a person's life under the pretense of capital murder is as much a crime as a person taking the life of somebody on the streets. If Dennis' life is wasted in this manner, as well as others who have gone before him and will go after him, I have no doubt what the judgment day of those involved in the act will be like when it is your turn to stand before God. I hold Dennis and all those fighting for his life in my heart and prayers. May God bless each and every one of you.
I have known Dennis indirectly as a friend of my husband for 7 years now. Granted, knowing a person indirectly and under his current circumstances does not make for a typical relationship, but there are people I know even more casually than that and can make a judgment on whether they are somebody I care to associate with or not. Dennis has a good heart and has reached out beyond the bars and touched more lives than most people who are not impacted by his restraints. In my eyes, only God has the right to condemn or condone a person and their behavior. No man has that right. And taking a person's life under the pretense of capital murder is as much a crime as a person taking the life of somebody on the streets. If Dennis' life is wasted in this manner, as well as others who have gone before him and will go after him, I have no doubt what the judgment day of those involved in the act will be like when it is your turn to stand before God. I hold Dennis and all those fighting for his life in my heart and prayers. May God bless each and every one of you.
# 357:
11:03 am PDT, Aug 28,
Name not displayed, Missouri
It would be a terrible injustice to execute Dennis. The Death Penalty should be abolished. There are so many inmates on death row that are innocent and unfairly placed on death row by ambitious prosecutors. Evidence is hidden or not given. And individuals are encouraged to lie on the stands just to find individuals guilty. Each case on death row needs to be rechecked by a special group before a person is executed. The sentencing is unfair. I think Dennis case should be modified.
It would be a terrible injustice to execute Dennis. The Death Penalty should be abolished. There are so many inmates on death row that are innocent and unfairly placed on death row by ambitious prosecutors. Evidence is hidden or not given. And individuals are encouraged to lie on the stands just to find individuals guilty. Each case on death row needs to be rechecked by a special group before a person is executed. The sentencing is unfair. I think Dennis case should be modified.
# 356:
2:51 pm PDT, Aug 27,
Yoke Jaken, Netherlands
# 355:
6:35 am PDT, Aug 27,
Shana Blumenthal, Missouri
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 354:
7:35 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Linda Hughes, Florida
# 353:
2:30 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Mark Meade, Kentucky
I've lived most of my life in Missouri. I hope our state takes the high road and doesn't commit state murder. I will not be party to needlessly taking life. especially when so many mistakes are made.
I've lived most of my life in Missouri. I hope our state takes the high road and doesn't commit state murder. I will not be party to needlessly taking life. especially when so many mistakes are made.
# 352:
12:53 pm PDT, Aug 26,
STEVE JOHNSON, Texas
THE FASTER THIS MONSTER IS EXECUTED THE BETTER. SKILLICORN KNEW WITH 100% CONVICTION DRUMMOND WOULD DIE THAT DAY. MAYBE HIS GOOD DEEDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR A LIVING TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY AND NOT PARTICIPATING IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND MURDER. HIS LEGACY WILL BE THE NEXT MONSTER WHO DECIDES TO BE A MURDERING CRIMINAL WILL THINK OF SKILLICORN FATE AND GO THE OTHER ROUTE OF WORKING FOR A LIVING AND TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO DIE. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT DOES WORK THE PROBLEM IS WE LET THIS FILTH LIVE TOO LONG THE EXECUTION NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY DONE.
THE FASTER THIS MONSTER IS EXECUTED THE BETTER. SKILLICORN KNEW WITH 100% CONVICTION DRUMMOND WOULD DIE THAT DAY. MAYBE HIS GOOD DEEDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR A LIVING TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY AND NOT PARTICIPATING IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND MURDER. HIS LEGACY WILL BE THE NEXT MONSTER WHO DECIDES TO BE A MURDERING CRIMINAL WILL THINK OF SKILLICORN FATE AND GO THE OTHER ROUTE OF WORKING FOR A LIVING AND TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT TO DIE. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT DOES WORK THE PROBLEM IS WE LET THIS FILTH LIVE TOO LONG THE EXECUTION NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY DONE.
# 351:
12:35 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Carla Peterson, Virginia
This is madness to execute a person who did not kill! This is a sentence that advanced countries do not give. It is an embarassment as well as cruel and unusual punishment! Stop!
This is madness to execute a person who did not kill! This is a sentence that advanced countries do not give. It is an embarassment as well as cruel and unusual punishment! Stop!
