David Hosier, a Missouri death row prisoner scheduled to be executed on June 11 for the 2009 killing of a Jefferson City couple, Angela and Rodney Gilpin, has been hospitalized due to a “medical emergency.” His attorney revealed that Hosier was diagnosed with heart failure this week, with his sister indicating that he is suffering from atrial fibrillation, causing severe pain and inability to walk or talk. It remains unclear if his execution will be postponed given his critical condition, with his spiritual adviser questioning how sick a person has to be to avoid execution in Missouri.
Hosier, who has maintained his innocence, has a tragic background – his father was a police officer killed in the line of duty when Hosier was just 16 years old. Despite this, Hosier went on to serve in the Navy and work as an EMT and firefighter before settling in Jefferson City. He admitted to having an affair with Angela Gilpin but denied involvement in her and her husband’s murders, questioning the lack of physical evidence tying him to the crime. Investigators, however, point to circumstantial evidence linking Hosier to the killings, such as his threats to harm Angela, which he denies making, and the discovery of weapons in his possession.
Hosier became a suspect in the Gilpin murders following their deaths in September 2009, but he could not be located until police tracked him to Oklahoma using cellphone data. A chase ensued, leading to his apprehension and the discovery of an arsenal of weapons in his car, including a submachine gun linked to the killings. Despite this evidence, Hosier maintains his innocence and criticizes the lack of concrete proof in the case against him. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld his conviction in 2019, solidifying his impending execution.
Amidst Hosier’s increasingly dire medical condition, his spiritual adviser calls for compassion, pointing to the tragedy of losing his police officer father at a young age and urging the law enforcement community to support Hosier in the same way they stand by families of fallen officers. The circumstances of Hosier’s life, including the loss of his father and his subsequent legal troubles, highlight the complexities of his story and raise questions about the morality of executing a sick man. As his execution date looms, the fate of David Hosier rests on further decisions by Missouri authorities and the legal system governing his case.
The evidence against Hosier, while largely circumstantial in nature, suggests a possible connection to the murders of Angela and Rodney Gilpin in 2009, with investigators citing his romantic involvement with Angela and threats made prior to the killings. Hosier’s denial of these circumstances contrasts with law enforcement’s assertions of his guilt, showcasing the conflicting narratives surrounding the case. As the legal battle continues and Hosier’s health remains a pressing concern, the unfolding events leading up to the scheduled execution raise ethical and legal questions about the execution of a critically ill inmate, further underscoring the complexities of David Hosier’s story.
