What does clemency for Lance Shockley mean?

Clemency can be defined as an act of mercy or leniency. Legally, clemency is authority granted to the executive branch of government, in this case to Governor Kehoe, to offer mercy in criminal justice cases. Lance’s legal team is asking the governor to grant Lance clemency, or mercy, from his death sentence and to commute his sentence to life without parole.

Why are you asking for clemency for Lance Shockley?

In Lance Shockley’s case, clemency is being sought due to serious concerns about the integrity of the trial, including juror misconduct, lack of physical evidence, and unresolved alternative suspects. Lance continues to maintain his innocence, urging his legal team to pursue DNA testing on 16 pieces of untested evidence. An embodiment of restorative justice, granting Lance clemency will allow him to continue his work counseling and mentoring his peers.

What is restorative justice?

From the Missouri Department of Corrections website: Through restorative justice initiatives, offenders serve fellow citizens and strengthen social bonds that serve as the foundation of communities. Restorative justice is a philosophy and practice focused on repairing harm by facilitating accountability, healing, and dialogue, rather than purely punitive punishment. It seeks to center the needs of victims, communities, and incarcerated individuals for reconciliation and transformation.

Lance Shockley is an active leader: he serves as President of the Restorative Justice Organization at Potosi Correctional Center. In this capacity Lance mentors peers, supports others through crises, and promotes pro-social behavior through faith-based programs and peer counseling.

Was there any physical evidence tying Lance Shockley to the crime?

No. There is no physical evidence tying Lance Shockley to the crime.

What was the juror misconduct during Lance Shockley’s trial?

One of the jurors, “Juror 58,” revealed during voir dire that they had written and self-published a novel. After the guilty verdict, Lance’s team learned the 184‑page book described a fictionalized revenge murder against someone who killed the protagonist’s wife in a DUI crash, a situation eerily similar to Lance’s case. It was also revealed that Juror 58 had distributed copies of his novel to court staff and other jurors during deliberation and before conviction; they even sent a copy to the judge’s chambers.

Lance’s attorney moved for a mistrial and asked to question Juror 58 as well as other jurors about the book and any potential bias it created among the jury. The trial judge removed Juror 58 before sentencing, but denied the mistrial and refused to allow juror questioning, citing concerns about tainting the remaining panel.

What was the jury’s sentence?

During sentencing the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision and they deadlocked on whether to sentence Lance to death or life without parole. Under Missouri law, if jurors are deadlocked, the sentencing responsibility shifts to the trial judge, who then decides whether to impose a sentence of death or life without parole. In Lance’s case, Carter County Circuit Judge David Evans chose the death penalty.

Do other states allow judges to impose a death sentence when the jury is deadlocked on sentencing?

Most other death‑penalty states require the jury to decide punishment unanimously, and if the jury deadlocks, the result is either an automatic life sentence or a re‑sentencing by another jury. While there are some (complicated) nuances in capital (death penally) sentencing in Montana, Nebraska, and Florida, Missouri and Indiana are the only two states where, in capital cases, a judge can impose the death penalty if the jury fails to reach a unanimous decision during sentencing.

How can I help try to save Lance’s life?

• Visit the Take Action page on this website to sign and share the “I Stand with Lance” clemency petition.

• Submit new tips or leads about alternative suspects or fresh evidence.

• Spread awareness: share reliable information about Lance’s case, its flaws, and the motion for new DNA testing.