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 the possibility of parole. Lance would not be released from prison, but would remain in prison for the remainder of his natural life.

Why are you asking for clemency for Lance Shockley?

There are a number of reasons we are seeking clemency for Lance Shockley. First, there remain serious concerns regarding the integrity of the trial, including juror misconduct, lack of physical evidence, and alternative suspects that were never properly investigated by law enforcement. Second, Lance continues to maintain his innocence, urging his legal team to pursue DNA testing on 15 pieces of untested evidence collected by law enforcement from the crime scene. Third, the jury split on the question of punishment with at least two members of the jury voting for life in prison. The elected trial judge sentenced Lance to death utilizing a practice of judicial override that only two states still employ (Missouri and Indiana). Finally, Lance is the embodiment of restorative justice and a model inmate in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Granting Lance clemency will allow him to continue his work counseling and mentoring his peers, organizing worship services within the prison, and serving as an example of rehabilitation. In addition, if Lance were granted clemency, he would be able to continue to pursue DNA testing and other investigations that the state continues to fight, which could prove his innocence and identify the actual killer.

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. The state has conceded that their case against Lance relied solely on circumstantial evidence.

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 but did not provide any details about the subject. 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, who served as the jury foreperson for the guilt phase of the trial, distributed copies of his novel to court staff and other jurors during trial and before conviction in violation of the trial court’s instructions. Juror 58 even provided a copy of his novel to the trial judge. 

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 jurors.

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 the possibility of 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 to sentence Lance to death despite the jury’s lack of agreement on the appropriate punishment.

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 sentencing in Montana, Nebraska, and Florida, only in Missouri and Indiana can a judge choose to 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.