Last week, attorneys for Christopher Collings filed an application for executive clemency with Governor Mike Parson, seeking to commute his death sentence to life without parole. Christopher’s execution is scheduled for December 3, 2024, but his case reveals profound failures in the justice system that demand urgent attention.
This is a matter of life and death. It’s up to all of us to speak out and demand fairness, accountability, and mercy.
The Case for Clemency
Christopher Collings’s clemency petition sheds light on a lifetime of trauma, a deeply flawed trial, and his efforts to reform and contribute positively while incarcerated. Here’s what you need to know:
1. A Life Shaped by Trauma
Christopher’s childhood was marked by chaos, abuse, and abandonment:
He was born to parents engaged in criminal activity, both of whom were incarcerated by the time he was six months old.
Placed in foster care, Christopher endured physical abuse and lived in a home where other children were sexually abused.
As a teenager, he was sexually assaulted by his mother’s boyfriend, leaving him deeply scarred and emotionally damaged.
2. Suppressed Evidence and a Flawed Trial
The prosecution withheld crucial evidence that undermines the fairness of Christopher’s trial:
Police Misconduct: Wheaton Police Chief Clinton Clark, whose testimony was critical to the State’s case, had a history of criminal convictions for going AWOL during his military service. This information was never disclosed to the defense and could have discredited his testimony.
Disparity in Sentencing: Co-defendant David Spears confessed to the murder but was allowed to plead to a lesser charge and served only 11 years in prison. Despite stronger evidence tying Spears to the crime, Christopher received the death penalty.
3. Denied Mitigating Evidence
The jury was not presented with critical information about Christopher’s mental and emotional state:
Brain Injuries: Christopher suffers from significant brain abnormalities that impair his judgment, emotional regulation, and impulse control.
History of Abuse: The severe sexual abuse Christopher endured as a child and teenager profoundly shaped his behavior.
Juror Statements: At least three jurors have said that if they had been informed of this evidence, they would have chosen life without parole instead of the death penalty.
4. A Positive Impact in Prison
Since his incarceration, Christopher has worked to better himself and contribute to others:
He has participated in restorative justice programs and the Puppies for Parole program, training rescue dogs for adoption.
He has become a source of support and calm for both inmates and prison staff, demonstrating compassion and empathy.
He has remained sober since 2008 and continues to focus on self-improvement.
Christopher’s case reveals a deeply flawed system where trauma, mental health issues, and prosecutorial misconduct were ignored, and the jury was denied the full picture of his life and culpability. Mercy is not only appropriate but necessary to correct these failures.
What You Can Do
With Christopher’s execution date fast approaching, we must act now to demand justice. Here’s how you can help:
Contact Governor Parson: Call his office at (573) 751-3222 or send an email urging him to grant clemency to Christopher Collings.
Spread the Word: Use our advocacy toolkit to share Christopher’s story on social media and with your community.
Join the Movement: Support organizations working to end the death penalty and advocate for fair treatment in the justice system.
Time Is Running Out
Christopher Collings’s life has been shaped by trauma and a broken system, but his story is not over. Clemency is about recognizing the humanity in every person and valuing redemption over retribution.
Missouri has a choice: to uphold justice or perpetuate injustice. Let’s ensure Governor Parson hears our collective call for mercy. Together, we can make a difference.
Comments