Michael Roberts' execution has been scheduled for October 3, 2001; vigils will be October 2.
NEW: News conference scheduled on
Wednesday, September 26, 1:30 p.m.,
First floor rotunda, State Capitol, Jefferson City.
For information contact Rita Linhardt 573-635-7239.
Roberts was convicted for the 1994 death of a neighbor, Mary Taylor, in a robbery for money for crack cocaine; she resisted, he hit her head with a hammer, tried to strangle her & stabbed her.
ISSUES (see for further information): Psychiatric problems linked to judicial refusal to follow the law. Michael was the victim of institutional failure from childhood. Brain damage, inability to control impulses, mood swings, and loss of reason and judgment were evident; but his father prevented treatment to avoid detection of his severe sexual & physical abuse of Michael & siblings. He was controlling and dominating, requiring Michael to stand guard while he sexually abused his daughter, Michael's sister. Denied proper medication, Michael turned to crack cocaine, which increases impulsive behavior. The trial judge incorrectly instructed the jury on mental-health testimony, and the Missouri Supreme Court acknowledged the error but denied relief.
WHAT YOU CAN DO on or before Tuesday, Oct. 2: Any part helps:
1. Ask Gov. Bob Holden to commute the sentence: 573-751-3222, fax 573-751-1495; State Capitol, Box 720, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Toll-free: Kansas City: 889-3186; St. Louis: 340-6900.
2. Candlelight vigil Tues. 10/2, outside the Potosi prison, 11:00pm-12:01am, near front gate, Potosi Correctional Facility, Hwy O, just off Hwy 8, south off Hwy 21, or I-55 to Hwy 67 south to Hwy 8 west. CANCELLED IF COMMUTATION OR STAY.
Also 10/2:
For Updates call 314-725-7527, 516-6864; 816-235-1600, 252-8000, 363-3968; 573-635-7239,449-4585, 268-6151, 254-3993