Tilley wants life imprisonment for Skillicorn

Intro: House Majority Floor Leader asked Governor Nixon for a request: to commute the death sentence of a convicted killer in Missouri.

Nathan Higgins has more from the state Capitol.

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Republican Representative Steven Tilley addressed the May 20 execution of Dennis Skillicorn who was charged with two others for killing an Excelsior Springs man in 1994.

Skillicorn did not actually pull the trigger but was still involved in the murder.

Tilley said Skillicorn should not be killed based on his involvement.

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Description: "I'm not saying that Dennis is a great guy. I'm not saying he didn't commit a crime. I'm not saying he didn't do bad things. I'm just telling you that I think when you're not the actual person that does it, I think that's enough that we should step back as a state and say do we really want to take this man's life?"

Republican Representative Bob Nance disagreed and said Skillicorn should be punished for his involvement in this murder and his involvement in two other murders in the past.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: With the planned execution of Dennis Skillicorn in a week, House Majority Leader Steven Tilley asked the governor to commute Skillicorn's sentence.

Nathan Higgins has more from the state Capitol.

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Skillicorn and two others were charged with the killing of an Excelsior Springs man in 1994.

Skillicorn did not actually shoot the victim, but was involved in the crime according to the actual shooter.

This prompted Republican Representative Steven Tilley to reconsider Skillicorn's death sentence.

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Description: "To me it's enough evidence that certainly the governor should consider commuting his sentence. We're not talking about letting him out. We're talking about life in prison."

Skillicorn also served thirteen years in Arizona for involvement in another murder.

Republican Representative Bob Nance said Skillicorn should get what he deserves.

From Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: One representative asked Governor Nixon to commute the death sentence of a convicted Missouri killer, but another representative said he should get what he deserves.

Nathan Higgins has more from the state Capitol.

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Excelsior Springs Representative Bob Nance said convicted killer Dennis Skillicorn devastated his community, and he should pay for it.

The state is planning to execute Skillicorn on May 20 for his involvement in a murder fifteen years ago.

Now, House Majority Leader Steven Tilley has asked the governor to commute Skillicorn's sentence to life in prison.

Nance opposed Tilley's request and said Governor Nixon should consider Skillicorn's involvement in two other murders.

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Description: "To have been involved in at least three different ones, it's a little too far."

Tilley's request for Nixon came after the House debated a moratorium on the death penalty till 2012.

The House turned down the proposal.

From Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.