As 2014 comes to close, the Justice for Reggie Campaign observes its 9th year of dedicated effort to shine a spotlight on Reggie’s case as an example of the glaring flaws in the capital punishment system. Many of us have a track record from before 2005 of working on Reggie’s 1993 case, and will continue working until the end of the death penalty in Missouri.
We must double our efforts to abolish the death penalty. Here we are—months after the Special Master’s findings were submitted to the Missouri Supreme Court—and we still have no news about Reggie’s future. So, our work must continue.
Meanwhile, the State of Missouri hardly missed a beat with the execution of inmates this year. Herbert Smulls, Michael Taylor, Jeffrey Ferguson, William Rousan, John Winfield, John Middleton, Michael Worthington, Earl Ringo, Jr., Leon Taylor and Paul Goodwin all were executed in 2014. Only Russell Bucklew’s execution was stayed due to medical reasons. This is almost one execution per month—a sad state of affairs for Missouri. We lift up their names, a swe also remember their victims and their loved ones.
In the last several months, the St. Louis region has experienced an upsurge in justice-seeking citizens working towards a new vision that truly honors all life and human rights. Abolishment of the death penalty fits into their demand to end state-sanctioned killings. This movement is bigger than young Mike Brown.
Join us in re-committing our lives and resources to end the death penalty and loudly declare, “Enough is enough!”
