A convicted killer from southeast Missouri has been executed by lethal injection at the state’s maximum-security prison in Bonne Terre.
48-year-old Lance Shockley was convicted of shooting and killing a Missouri state trooper near Van Buren in 2005. The Missouri Department of Corrections says Shockley was pronounced dead Tuesday evening at 6:13 at the prison.
Governor Mike Kehoe denied clemency for Shockley, who was convicted of first degree murder for the 2005 ambush and murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl DeWayne Graham Jr. The governor says Shockley ambushed Sergeant Graham, shooting him from behind with a rifle, paralyzing him. Governor Kehoe says Shockley then fired shotgun blasts into Sergeant Graham’s face and shoulder.
Amnesty International urged the governor to block the execution and asked the courts to intervene, alleging there were significant irregularities that marred jury deliberations. Amnesty International also alleges there was misconduct by the jury foreman.