Democratic reps urge Missouri governor to stop execution of convicted veteran 

Two Missouri Democrats Urged In a letter dated Friday, Republican Gov. Mike Parson called for a halt to the execution of convicted veterans.

“We write today to urgently request that you halt the execution of David Hosier, scheduled for June 11, 2024,” Missouri Democratic Reps. Cori Bush and Emanuel Cleaver wrote in the letter.

“As lawmakers, we are committed to building a Missouri that is a beacon of justice and work every day to represent the needs and demands of Missourians across the state,” the letter continues. “We urge that Mr. Hosier’s clemency request be granted immediately.”

According to the Associated Press, Hozier is scheduled to be executed next week for the murders of Angela Gilpin and Rodney Gilpin in 2009. Hozier’s lawyers have also said Hozier was recently diagnosed with heart failure, and Hozier’s sister has said he lives with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat.

“Mr. Hosier is a 69-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and former paramedic and firefighter with the Jefferson City Fire Department,” the letter from the two representatives read. “When he was just 16 years old, his father, Sergeant Glenn Hosier, was shot in the line of duty. This tragic death has left an indelible scar on Mr. Hosier, and he never even had the chance to say goodbye to his father.”

“He was then repeatedly let down by a lack of institutional mental health resources for those who had lost loved ones in the line of duty,” Bush and Cleaver continued. “He was diagnosed with severe depression by a clinical psychologist, which doctors determined was linked to an impaired ability to cope with adversity — all symptoms consistent with those who have suffered childhood trauma and not received adequate treatment.”

Horsehar has always maintained his innocence, but the Associated Press reports there is significant circumstantial evidence pointing to his guilt.

The Hill has reached out to Parson’s office.