A group of protesters gathered outside the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia to protest the execution of Christopher Collings, a Missouri man who was executed for sexually assaulting and killing a 9-year-old girl in 2007. The protestors held signs urging the state to spare Collings’ life and abolish the death penalty, citing concerns about procedural irregularities in his trial and his troubled childhood.
Darrell Moore, a former Green County prosecutor, explained that while the death penalty is a necessary tool for prosecutors in some cases, it is not taken lightly and is only sought when there are strong aggravating factors present. Missouri has had 101 executions since 1976, making it the fifth-highest in the country, but getting the death penalty is still rare due to the strict requirements for seeking it.
Despite the execution of Collings, protesters like Laura-Chopp Disanto continue to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, citing its expense, potential for errors, and lack of proven deterrent effect. Green County prosecutor also emphasized the importance of the jury’s role in deciding whether the death penalty is appropriate in a particular case, acknowledging the weight of their decision.
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