Missouri Executes Man for Killing School Girl

The 5th Execution of 2011

Missouri executed Martin Link this morning. It is the first execution in the state in nearly two years. The execution was carried out in the state prison in Bonne Terre after last-minute appeals failed, according to Reuters.

Governor Jay Nixon earlier on Tuesday denied a clemency petition, and appeals before Missouri and U.S. federal courts also failed.

Link was convicted of killing Elissa Self-Braun, who disappeared walking to her school bus stop. Her body was found four days later floating in the St. Francis River, about 135 miles from her home.

Missouri's last execution was in 2009, and another man, Richard Clay, was scheduled to die earlier this year. His sentence was commuted to life in prison at the last minute by Nixon.

Since 1989, Missouri has executed 67 men.

To read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/09/us-missouri-execution-idUSTRE71822R20110209