ABOUT THE REGGIE CLEMONS
Mr. Reggie Clemons has been sitting on Missouri’s death row for over 16 years, sentenced as an accomplice in the death of two white women in 1991. Clemons and two other black men were sentenced to death while a fourth person, a young white man was offered a plea deal and is out on parole. That is not the only race issue in the case. The original suspect, a white man and the cousin of the women, confessed to the crime after failing a lie detector test and changing his story several times. All three black defendants claimed that their confessions were coerced by police beatings and/or denial of constitutional rights. The arraignment judge sent Clemons to the hospital for obvious injuries he did not have before his ‘interview’ with police.
Further, there is no physical evidence linking Clemons to the offense. Jurors were improperly excluded and the prosecutor was guilty of serious misconduct. It came to light only recently that critical evidence was never provided to the defense or tested for DNA.
Governor Jay Nixon has the authority to grant clemency to Reggie. At one point, the appeals court overturned Clemons’ death sentence, but it was reinstated.
Many citizens are asking, “How can we put someone to death when the case against him is so problematic?” When a man’s life is on the line, there can be no room for doubt.
Some say that Nels Moss, the prosecutor in Reggie Clemons' case, is notorious for improper conduct in the courtroom. Learn more: Nels Moss_Reggie Clemons
UPDATES
June 4, 2009: Reggie’s execution was stayed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court now must rule of a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of Missouri’s lethal injection process before a new execution date can be set.
June 30, 2009: The Missouri Supreme Court appointed a Special Prosecutor to examine all evidence in Reggie’s case. This decision opens the door for consideration of evidence and issues which had been excluded in the appeals process.
EVENT: FREE DOCUMENTARY SHOWING
The Jefferson City NAACP and Missouri Association for Social Welfare of Central Missouri presents Borrowed Time - a documentary about the case of Reggie Clemons.
Borrowed Time chronicles the details of his case including interviews with Clemons, his family, community leaders and others involved in the incident and the case. The documentary also calls into question the competence of the defense attorney and the conduct of the prosecutor.
Following the documentary we invite you to join us for a brief discussion facilitated by MASW and NAACP members. Learn about the recent door opened by the Missouri Supreme Court as well as other developments. Hear about what you can do to keep the Campaign for Reggie going.
FREE DOCUMENTARY SHOWING
Time: Tuesday, September 21, 4:00-6:00pm – bring our own refreshments
Location: Lincoln University Library Martin Luther King Hall, 812 E Dunklin, Jefferson City, MO
Free admission. RSVPs appreciated: jcnaacp@gmail.com
TAKE ACTION: LEARN MORE ABOUT JUSTICE FOR REGGIE CAMPAIGN
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