Time is running out. Christopher Collings is scheduled to be executed at 6:00 p.m. on December 3rd at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. This would mark Missouri's fourth execution in 2024 alone – a sobering continuation of state-sanctioned killings that undermine our justice system and moral fabric.
Critical Legal Concerns
The path to Chris's death sentence is marked by troubling legal failures that demand our attention:
The State violated Chris's due process rights by withholding crucial evidence, including information about the Chief of Police's four criminal convictions – the same officer who obtained Chris's incriminating statements
The Chief of Police falsely testified about Chris signing a rights waiver before his confession
A cadaver dog detected evidence on the co-defendant's car, not Chris's
Most disturbingly, Chris's co-defendant, David Spears (the victim's stepfather), had confessed to the murder and led authorities to the body before Chris's confession. Despite this, Spears received a plea deal for child endangerment with an 11-year sentence and is now free, while Chris faces execution
These stark disparities in justice cannot be ignored.
Chris Collings is more than his worst actions. As a father, son, uncle, and friend, he has demonstrated his capacity for growth and human connection at Potosi Correctional Center. Through his work as a dog trainer in the Puppies For Parole program and his positive influence on others in the facility, Chris has shown that rehabilitation and redemption are possible even in the darkest circumstances.
Your Voice Matters
The death penalty has repeatedly been shown to fail as a deterrent to crime. States without it have lower homicide rates than those maintaining execution. Moreover, the death penalty disproportionately affects marginalized communities, reflecting deep-seated systemic inequities that we cannot ignore.
How You Can Take Immediate Action
1. Sign and Share the Petition
- Visit bit.ly/ChrisCollingsPetition
- Share it across your networks
2. Access the Complete Advocacy Toolkit
- Find resources at bit.ly/ChrisCollingsToolkit
- Share graphics, templates, and information with your network
3. Amplify on Social Media
- Follow @MADPMO across platforms
- Use hashtags: #ClemencyForChris #AbolishTheDeathPenalty #NoMoDeathPenalty
- Tag @GovParsonMO in your posts
A Call for Mercy
We recognize the profound tragedy of Rowan Ford's loss in 2007. Nothing can undo this terrible event. However, executing Chris Collings will not heal this wound or bring closure. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of violence while ignoring the serious questions about the fairness of his trial and sentence.
We're not asking for Chris's freedom – we're asking for mercy. We're asking Governor Parson to commute his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This decision would reflect our society's capacity for mercy and our recognition that our justice system, like all human institutions, is fallible.
Time is Critical
With the December 3rd execution date approaching rapidly, every moment counts. Your voice, added to thousands of others, can make a difference. Please take action today. Share this call for clemency with others who believe in justice reform and the power of mercy.
Together, we can work toward a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over retribution, healing over harm, and mercy over vengeance.
State sanctioned death sentences has not been proven to help .We are all against killling...murder is murder. As a modern society this needs to stop and those sentences should be commuted to life...I ts a waayu to make a difference to all that become part of this.