Missouri Governor Denies Clemency for Death Row Inmate Brian Dorsey

Missouri Governor Mike Parson rejected the clemency plea for Brian Dorsey, a death row inmate convicted of the 2004 killings of his cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben Bonnie. Dorsey is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

According to Dorsey's attorney, Megan Crane, the governor's decision to deny clemency is devastating. The plea for clemency included support from 72 current and former corrections officers who attested to Dorsey's rehabilitation during his time behind bars. Crane stated, "Governor Parson has chosen to ignore the wealth of information before him showing that Brian Dorsey is uniquely deserving of mercy."

Record of Behavior and Legal Appeals

Governor Parson, who has never granted a clemency request during his time in office, did not provide immediate comment on his decision. Meanwhile, an appeal highlighting Dorsey’s good behavior record is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Another appeal argues that Dorsey's trial lawyers had no incentive to invest time in his case due to a $12,000 flat fee, leading Dorsey to plead guilty without any agreement for sparing him from the death penalty.

Dorsey, formerly of Jefferson City, was convicted of killing Sarah and Ben Bonnie in 2006 at their home near New Bloomfield. Prosecutors stated that Dorsey went to the Bonnie's home seeking to borrow money to pay off drug dealers, and later that night, he used a shotgun to kill both of them before sexually assaulting Sarah Bonnie's body. The bodies were discovered by Sarah's parents the following day, leaving their 4-year-old daughter unharmed.

Support for Clemency

Dorsey's attorneys argued that he suffered from drug-induced psychosis at the time of the killings and has since gotten clean while in prison. Former Missouri Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff, who previously ruled on Dorsey's appeal, expressed regret over the court's decision and stated that Missouri Public Defenders no longer use a flat fee for defense due to the financial conflict of interest it presents for attorneys.

The Missouri Department of Corrections has taken measures to reduce the risks associated with Dorsey's execution. A settlement filed over the weekend aims to prevent Dorsey from experiencing excessive pain during the procedure, given his obesity, diabetes, and history of intravenous drug use. The settlement does not specify the changes agreed upon by the state or whether anesthetics will be used if a cutdown procedure is necessary.