Execution of Skillicorn delayed

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Supreme Court has postponed next week's scheduled execution of a man convicted of killing a helpful motorist.

Dennis Skillicorn was to be first inmate executed in Missouri since 2005.

But the Supreme Court delayed his Aug. 27 execution date by at least 30 days.

The court's decision came after Skillicorn asserted that his federally appointed clemency counsel has been unable to interview inmates and prison staff to prepare a thorough clemency request to the governor.

Skillicorn was convicted of the 1994 murder of Richard Drummond. The Excelsior Springs businessman who stopped to help Skillicorn and Allen Nicklasson when their car broke down on Interstate 70 in Callaway County.