David Hosier, a Missouri inmate scheduled to be executed for a 2009 double murder, is maintaining his innocence until the very end. He plans to deliver a final statement expressing his truth and reflecting on the lessons he has learned, while thanking his spiritual adviser, the Rev. Jeff Hood. Hosier’s execution by lethal injection is set to take place at the state prison in Bonne Terre. Despite the typical last-minute appeals and ongoing litigation that often delay executions, no further appeals are pending in Hosier’s case.
Hosier’s legal team did not respond to requests for comment. In previous interviews, he expressed frustration over his lawyers’ focus on his childhood trauma and mental health issues rather than the circumstances of the crime in his clemency petition. The petition highlighted the childhood trauma he experienced when his father, an Indiana state trooper, was killed in the line of duty, leading to a lifelong struggle with depression. Hosier disagreed with this approach and did not want his father’s murder to be used as a mitigating factor in his case.
Governor Mike Parson rejected Hosier’s clemency submission, citing his lack of remorse for the crimes. Hosier was convicted of the shooting deaths of a Jefferson City couple, Rodney and Angela Gilpin. He had an extramarital affair with Angela, which ended when she reconciled with her husband. Prosecutors portrayed Hosier as a scorned ex-lover seeking revenge, alleging that he broke into the couple’s apartment and killed them. Hosier was arrested in Oklahoma, where law enforcement found firearms, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, and a knife in his car, with an incriminating note referencing honesty found inside.
Despite the evidence presented by prosecutors, Hosier maintains his innocence and denies any involvement in the murders. He believes that his fondness for long drives and hunting, which explained the presence of firearms in his car, was misconstrued as fleeing the crime scene. In a recent interview, Hosier expressed his awareness of the gravity of the crimes he was accused of and the lack of physical evidence connecting him to the scene. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and experienced health issues during his incarceration.
In his final words from the execution chamber, Hosier plans to express love for those present. His statement reflects his continued assertion of innocence and his acceptance of the impending execution. Despite facing the end of his life, Hosier remains steadfast in his beliefs and maintains his stance against the accusations leveled against him. As the scheduled execution approaches, Hosier’s case underscores the complexities and nuances of the criminal justice system and the profound impact of capital punishment on individuals and society.
