Current:Home > NewsMissouri Supreme Court declines to halt execution of a man who killed 2 in 2006 -LegacyBuild Academy
Missouri Supreme Court declines to halt execution of a man who killed 2 in 2006
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:38:21
The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to halt the execution of Brian Dorsey, who is scheduled to die next month for killing his cousin and her husband 18 years ago.
Judge W. Brent Powell wrote in the unanimous decision that Dorsey “has not demonstrated he is actually innocent” of the killing. Powell also wrote that the state Supreme Court previously turned aside Dorsey’s claim that his trial lawyer was ineffective, and he is barred from raising that claim again.
It was unclear if Dorsey would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A message was left Wednesday with his attorney, Megan Crane.
Dorsey is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. April 9 at the state prison in Bonne Terre. It would be Missouri’s first execution in 2024 after four people were put to death last year. Another Missouri inmate, David Hosier, faces execution June 11 for killing a Jefferson City woman in 2009.
Dorsey, who turns 52 on Thursday, was convicted of fatally shooting Sarah and Ben Bonnie on Dec. 23, 2006, at their home near New Bloomfield. Prosecutors said that earlier that day, Dorsey had called Sarah Bonnie seeking to borrow money to pay two drug dealers who were at his apartment.
Sarah Bonnie’s parents found the bodies the next day. The couple’s 4-year-old daughter was unhurt.
In his appeal, Dorsey alleged that he was incapable of premeditation at the time of the killings because of drug-induced psychosis. The appeal said Dorsey had not slept for more than three days, had been drinking and was withdrawing from crack cocaine usage, causing him to experience hallucinations and paranoid delusions.
But Powell wrote that attorneys for the state cited “significant evidence” of premeditation.
Dorsey pleaded guilty in 2008 but later claimed he should have instead been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Missouri Supreme Court first upheld the death sentence in 2010 and again in 2014.
veryGood! (911)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, PB&J
- Encino scratched from Kentucky Derby, clearing the way for Epic Ride to join field
- Man accused of kicking bison in alcohol-related incident, Yellowstone Park says
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, PB&J
- 2 die when small plane crashes in wooded area of northern Indiana
- Dear E!, How Do I Mature My Style? Here Are the Best Ways To Transform Your Closet & New Adult-Like Fits
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Trump says states should decide on prosecuting women for abortions, has no comment on abortion pill
Ranking
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- The Daily Money: All eyes are on the Fed
- Sister Wives’ Meri Brown Details Her Dating Life After Kody Brown Breakup
- FEMA administrator surveys Oklahoma tornado damage with the state’s governor and US senator.
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Lottery bids for skilled-worker visas plunge in the US after changes aimed at fraud and abuse
- US to test ground beef in states with dairy cows infected with bird flu. What to know.
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, PB&J
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Katy Perry Has a Message for Concerned Fans After Debuting New Wig
Dear E!, How Do I Mature My Style? Here Are the Best Ways To Transform Your Closet & New Adult-Like Fits
Select list of nominees for 2024 Tony Awards
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Fired Google workers ousted over Israeli contract protests file complaint with labor regulators
ABC News Meteorologist Rob Marciano Exits Network After 10 Years
Rep. Elise Stefanik seeks probe of special counsel Jack Smith over Trump 2020 election case