David Hosier, a Missouri inmate scheduled to be executed for a 2009 double murder, is maintaining his innocence and reflecting on his experience. In his final statement, he expresses gratitude for being able to speak the truth of his innocence, set an example of resistance to bullying lawyers, reminisce with loved ones, and learn to be the fullest version of himself. Hosier, 69, also plans to thank his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood, who has been involved in other death row cases. The execution by lethal injection is expected to begin around 6 p.m. local time.
While death penalty cases are often held up by last-minute appeals and litigation, no further appeals are pending in Hosier’s case. His legal team did not respond to requests for comment. In previous interviews, Hosier expressed frustration over how his lawyers presented his clemency petition, focusing on his childhood trauma rather than the circumstances of the crime. His clemency petition noted childhood trauma from the murder of his father as a mitigating factor, but Hosier disagreed with this approach. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson rejected Hosier’s clemency submission, citing his lack of remorse for the crimes.
Hosier was convicted in the shooting deaths of a Jefferson City couple, Rodney and Angela Gilpin. He admitted to having an affair with Angela while she was separated from her husband. However, Angela ended the relationship and reconciled with her husband. Prosecutors painted Hosier as a scorned ex-lover seeking revenge. After the bodies were discovered, Hosier was arrested in Oklahoma, where law enforcement found firearms, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, and a knife in his car. Ballistics testing results were inconclusive, and there was no eyewitness, fingerprint, or DNA evidence tying Hosier to the crime scene.
In May, Hosier was moved to a hospital and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, causing an irregular pulse rate. During an interview from prison, he appeared winded and short of breath. Despite his health issues and impending execution, Hosier plans to leave his final words with love. The execution is set to take place at the state prison in Bonne Terre. While Hosier’s fate is sealed, his case raises questions about the criminal justice system, the death penalty, and the complexities of seeking clemency on death row.
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