Again on Tuesday (2/7) several advocates for justice joined in a Vigil outside the office of Governor Mike Parson praying that he would show mercy and halt the execution of Raheem Taylor. For the third time in three months we were disturbed in the depths of our souls because the Governor ignored our pleas for justice and mercy. Sadly, Raheem was executed that night at the Bonne Terre Correctional Facility with no witnesses present as attorneys were rapidily filing in the federal courts while the state went ahead with state murder. 

Megan Crane of the Midwest Innocence Project wrote in a statement: “ Raheem Taylor was wrongly executed tonight by the State of Missouri, despite his credible claim of innocence, despite the fact that no court has ever been presented with or had the opportunity to evaluate his claim of innocence, and the evidence supporting it, and despite the fact that there was ongoing litigation regarding the State's denial of Raheem’s religious rights. (Raheem was denied his request to have his Muslim spiritual advisor present in the chamber and to have witnesses-attorneys- present to observe). This is an undeniable and irreversible injustice. But, in the words of Raheem, he will ‘live eternally in the hearts and minds of family and friends.’ Up until his final moment, he was joy, he was light, he was a rock. His spirit could not and was not destroyed.”

May he Rest In Peace. We will not rest until the death penalty is abolished, in the name of all that’s holy! 

--
Rev. Dr. John H. Bennett
Disciples of Christ Clergy (ret.)

“Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream.”
(Amos 5:24)