News and Media

The Catholic Key, Diocese of Kansas City (10/12/2007)

"...Richard Clay, Dennis Skillicorn and Jeffrey Ferguson were all found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to die by lethal injection. Like most capital punishment inmates, their sentences were handed down more than 10 years ago. ... Clay: "Death row is terminal, like cancer. So I asked myself, 'Do I let it eat me up like cancer or do I let it make me a better person?' I chose to become a better person, grounded in my faith..." 

A look at 7 questioned Hulshof cases - Columbia Missourian via The Associated Press (06/07/2008)

"...Before he was elected to Congress in 1996, Rep. Kenny Hulshof worked as a state prosecutor specializing in small-town murder cases. Here is a look at seven homicide cases he prosecuted where his courtroom conduct was called into question, the sentence was overturned on appeal or the guilt of the convicted murderer remains in doubt...." 

Doubt Clouds Murder Case - Columbia Daily Tribune, 12/26/2010

"...Josh Kezer. Dale Helmig. Richard Clay. These three men collectively spent nearly five decades incarcerated for unrelated murders they steadfastly insisted they did not commit..." 

Halt next Missouri execution - The Star’s editorial (01.05.2011)

 "...Jay Nixon was unflinching in his support of capital punishment during his 16 years as Missouri’s attorney general. Under his watch, 59 prisoners were put to death. But now, as governor, Nixon must assume a different role. Governors, the late U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote, are the “fail safe” in the criminal justice system...“

Jay Nixon's decision on death penalty case out of character - St. Louis Post Dispatch (01.12.2011)

"...But Nixon, who is now governor, took a different approach this week. On Monday, Nixon spared Richard Clay from the executioner..."

Nixon Discusses Commuting Death Sentence - St. Louis Post Dispatch (01.14.2011)

"...Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday his decision to commute the death sentence of a convicted murderer was based on factors specific to the case and does not indicate a softening of his support of the death penalty..."

Strong reaction in the Heartland to overturned murder conviction - KFVS-12 (01.10.2013) 

"...It is the fourth case since 2009 where a Missouri court found flaws with a murder conviction, all involving a common prosecutor - Kenny Hulshof. One of those is the New Madrid County case of Richard Clay..."