Missouri Death Row inmate loses his appeal

The Missouri Supreme Court has unanimously denied a request from a convicted murderer from southwest Missouri’s Ozark. The Ruling clears the way for his execution to take place next month in Bonne Terre

The Supreme Court has denied Walter Barton’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Barton’s attorney filed court papers which say Barton is innocent and incompetent to be put to death. The Supreme Court rejected both arguments.

They say Barton has not offered sufficient evidence to show actual innocence. The Supreme Court also found that Barton hasn’t shown that he experiences gross delusions which prevent him from understanding the meaning of the death sentence.

Barton was convicted of the 1991 killing of 81-year-old mobile home park manager Gladys Kuehler. Kuehler was stabbed 23 times in the back. The state Supreme Court in February set a May 19 execution date.