The Missouri Supreme Court Overturned The Murder Conviction Of Reggie Clemmons – Why And What Happens Now?

The Missouri Supreme Court Overturned The Murder Conviction Of Reggie Clemmons – Why And What Happens Now?

It had been twenty-two years, seven months, twenty-two days and countless hours since Reggie Clemons was sentenced to death until, on November 24, 2015, the Missouri Supreme Court threw out not only his sentence but also his murder conviction in its entirety. They sent the case back to the state, who has sixty days to decide whether to retry the case. During the original trial in 1991, the State of Missouri failed to disclose evidence.

This evidence was not heard until a Special Master Judge was appointed to review the case. Over several days of hearings in September 2012, the Special Master Judge allowed testimony regarding the possible police brutality and coerced confession. At the conclusion of those hearings, the Judge studied the testimony and after many moths made a recommendation to the Missouri Supreme Court who finally ruled in Reggie’s favor. On November 24, 2015, the Missouri Supreme Court made its ruling. Chief Justice Breckenridge noted the special master’s finding that “the state’s failure to disclose evidence was prejudicial.” The Court ruled 4-3 to vacate his sentence and conviction completely.

Special guest host Gabi Otto will talk with Jamala Rogers a long time human rights activist in St Louis who has been very involved with the Free Reggie Clemmons Committee. She will explain what was done to publicise the case, the legal work and appeals filed and what happens now.

In March of 2010 JoJR spoke with Reggie about what happened to him, how he felt when convicted, what he does to keep his sanity and the concern he has for his family if he were to be executed. We will replay that interview.

For more information on Reggie’s case go to – https://freereggieclemonsnow.wordpress.com/

The calendar for December 28th 2015

KC Metro Immigration Alliance is kicking off a year-long campaign promoting citizenship and civic engagement with their event, Strengthening Democracy Through Citizenship: Community Navigator Training. The event will be Friday, January 15th, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the UMKC Student Success Center: Pierson Auditorium, 5100 Rockhill Rd, KCMO. Community navigators receive specialized training to provide immigration information and are liaisons between their community, legal service providers, social service organizations, and government representatives. Lunch will be provided and preregistration is requested. To register or find out more enter Strengthening Democracy Through Citizenship: Community Navigator Training in the search box on your computer and follow the links or go to – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strengthening-democracy-through-citizenship-community-navigator-training-tickets-19353572055?ref=enivte001&invite=ODgwMzI3Ny9qYXdzb2ZqdXN0aWNlcmFkaW9AeWFob28uY29tLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invitemodernv2&ref=enivte001&utm_term=attend
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The Criminal Justice Task Force will meet Monday January 4th from 6:45 to 8:45 pm at the Church of the Good Shepard, 4947 Chouteau Drive, KCMO. The Criminal Justice Task Force mission is to lobby the Missouri State Legislature for sentencing laws that are fair and humane. You are invited to bring a friend and some nonperishable food items for the after school backpack program. For information contact Robin Johnson at 816-522-4081 or email: [email protected]
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The Kansas City Chapter of Missourian’s For Altenatives to the Death Penalty will meet Tuesday, January 5th from 6:30 to 8pm at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO. They will be finalizing plans for their upcoming workshop Death To The Death Penalty, to be held Saturday, January 23rd, from 9AM to Noon at St Mark’s Union Church, 1101 Euclid, KCMO.
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