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.”