Missouri bid to end judge-imposed death sentences faces Senate roadblock

Missouri effort to end judge-imposed death sentences blocked by Parkville Republican

The bipartisan Missouri bill would require unanimous juries in death penalty cases, and automatically expunge nonviolent crimes after people serve their sentences. But Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, says the death penalty changes won’t pass.

Missouri bid to end judge-imposed death sentences faces Senate roadblock

Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, speaks to reporters at the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session March 12, 2026 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).A bipartisan push to end a Missouri law allowing judges to impose the death penalty when jurors can’t agree has moved further through the legislature this year than at any point in at least a decade. But opposition from Senate leaders makes it unlikel…