(Jefferson City)- Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP) will bring volunteers to the state capitol on Tuesday. Volunteers and leaders will deliver petitions to Governor Parson, asking him to grant clemency to Michael Tisius and commute his sentence to life without the possibility of Parole.
WHO:
Leaders and volunteers from Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 30th, at 1:30 pm
WHERE:
The Missouri Capitol, Jefferson City 201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101 the first floor rotunda
Micheal was 19 years old when he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in Randolph County. Emerging scientific evidence supports the conclusion that the brain does not fully mature before a person reaches the age of 21 or higher. In most of the U.S. states, a defendant who was 19 would not be executed.
Nimrod Chapel, Jr., MADP Board Chair and President of the Missouri NAACP said:
“Missouri's deep cultural attachment to the death penalty prevents us from adhering to evolving standards of decency designed to protect children from the ultimate punishment. Executing Juveniles violates the Eighth Amendment, and Governor Parson should show mercy and spare his life. In almost every other state in the nation, Michael Tisus would not be eligible for execution.”
Michael is 42 years old and has lived peacefully in the Missouri DOC for over twenty years. He has had no prison conduct violations for a decade, and prison adjustment experts identify him as “an exemplary prisoner.” Multiple psychiatrists over the span of 20 years have come to the same conclusion, he understands the seriousness of his offense and shows empathy and remorse for the people he has hurt, particularly the families of the victims. Michael should be allowed to live out his life in the Missouri prison system. Thousands of Missourians agree.
Rev. Melissa Potts-Bower, Spiritual Advisor to Michael Tisius, stated:
“Michael’s deep faith, remorse, and compassion for others is astounding and inspiring. It does great damage to the soul of our government and our people to murder him in our name needlessly. We continue to pray fervently that the state of Missouri will make a better choice.”
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