Campaign update for August 12

The Judge’s findings
By now, you know that Judge Manners submitted his findings to the Supreme Court of Missuori before retiring from the bench and going into private practice. The J4R Campaign statement was sent to you last week.

Reggie’s birthday
Please mark your calendar for Reggie’s 42nd birthday celebration. Because of all the 50th commemorative activities for the March on Washington and the Jefferson Bank Protest, we will celebrate Reggie’s birthday on September 28 (his actual birthday is August 30). This is also an opportunity for Reggie’s parents and the Justice for Reggie Campaign to thank those who’ve shared this journey with us.

Upcoming executions
The Supreme Court of Missouri set an October 23 date for the execution of Allen Nicklasson and a November 20 date for the execution of Joseph Franklin. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has been putting pressure on the state court for execution dates even threatening to resort to the use of the gas chambers if executions continued to be stalled. You will recall there have been legal objections to the unknown effects of propofol as the current drug of choice for the state’s lethal injection. We’ll keep you updated on any developments.

Judge issues report and recommendation in Reggie Clemons case

Judge Michael Manners, the Special Master assigned by the Supreme Court of Missouri to review the case of Reggie Clemons, issued his findings today to the state’s high court. Clemons is on death row, convicted of the murders of Robin and Julie Kerry in the Chain of Rocks Bridge case. Over the last four years, Judge Manners had the arduous task of reviewing thousands of pages of court transcripts, videotapes and exhibits spanning three trials and the lives of seven young people. His findings are not rulings but guidance to the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Judge Manners determined that certain evidence was suppressed in violation of Reggie’s constitutional right to due process, a finding that would require a new trial. Judge Manners also concluded that Reggie’s statement to the police was coerced. The Supreme Court of Missouri must now rule in the case.

This is yet another phase in the journey for justice in Reggie’s case. Supporters have waged a 22 year struggle to bring the case from out of the judicial shadows into the light.

Says Reggie’s mother, Vera Thomas, “This was such a derailment of due process from the very beginning so I thank the community for all their efforts that has brought us this far. I am grateful to the Missouri Supreme Court for giving us this opportunity to open up this case and for the special efforts of Judge Michael Manners in reviewing the case. I’m also appreciative of Reggie’s phenomenal legal team who has been on this case many years.”

“The wheels of justice are still turning, ”said Thomas, “but there are no winners in a death penalty case.”