ST. LOUIS – Governor Parson once again showed he does not respect the rule of law by pardoning Mark and Patricia McCloskey yesterday, the couple who plead guilty to criminal charges after brandishing a semiautomatic gun and pistol at peaceful protestors. Among his list of 12 pardons and 2 commutations, there were two noticeably missing: Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson.

Kevin Strickland was charged with murder in 1979 and the prosecutors of his case have apologized for wrongly convicting him. Lamar Johnson was convicted of murder in 1994, without any evidence whatsoever. The top prosecutor in St. Louis filed a motion for his release yet he remains in prison. Governor Parson has the ability to pardon wrongly convicted people but he has yet to do so despite overwhelming evidence and loud calls for justice from Missourians, criminal justice advocates and the prosecutors themselves.

Executive Randy Dunn released the following statement regarding Governor Parson’s pardons on Tuesday.

“The entire country is asking ‘What is going on in Missouri?’ Well, let’s ask Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson. Not only is Missouri leading in COVID-19 cases right now, but Governor Parson is also refusing to release two innocent men from prison in our state while pardoning McCloskeys. This appalling situation shines a light on the many reforms needed in our criminal justice system. This is what the country sees when they look at Missouri. The prosecutors of the Strickland and Johnson’s cases have admitted their mistakes and called for their release themselves. Yet, these men, one who has served 43 years and the other 25, are stuck in the system. This shameful situation can be fixed immediately if the Governor just did the right thing and pardoned these men instead of buddying up with now Senate candidate Mark McCloskey. Those of us supporting Mr. Strickland and Mr. Johnson will keep fighting until these men are free.”