Jefferson City, Missouri, witnessed its second execution of the year as Governor Mike Parson denied clemency for inmate David Hosier. The 69-year-old was pronounced dead at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri.

Hosier, who maintained his innocence in a double murder case, had multiple appeals rejected, including one by the Missouri Supreme Court five years ago. Despite calls from lawmakers to spare his life, Parson oversaw Hosier’s execution for the 2009 deaths of Angela Gilpin and Rodney Gilpin.

Convicted of fatally shooting the Gilpins during an armed burglary, Hosier’s previous romantic relationship with Angela Gilpin led to the tragic events. The governor emphasized Hosier’s lack of remorse and the tragic consequences of his actions.

Hosier, with a criminal record and a history of violence against women, continued to stalk and harass Angela Gilpin before committing the murders. His defense attorneys argued against the death sentence, citing a lack of physical evidence linking Hosier to the crime scene.

In a recent clemency petition, Hosier’s attorneys focused on his personal life, highlighting a stroke he suffered in 2007 that left lasting brain damage. They also mentioned the traumatic 1971 murder of his father, a former Indiana State Police sergeant, to explain his mental health struggles.

Despite pleas for clemency based on medical issues and mental illness, including a letter from U.S. Reps. Cori Bush and Emmanuel Cleaver, Hosier’s execution proceeded. Dissatisfaction with his defense team’s approach to the clemency request surfaced as Hosier expressed a desire for a different focus.

The execution of David Hosier underscores the complex and emotional nature of the death penalty debate, shedding light on the legal, moral, and personal aspects involved in such cases. The impact of these executions reverberates through communities, sparking conversations about justice, rehabilitation, and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.