KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The head of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph joined death penalty protesters Tuesday, voicing opposition to the execution of Dennis Skillicorn.
“We have to figure out a way to protect society short of taking another life,” said Bishop Robert Finn.
Dennis Skillicorn was executed early Wednesday morning for his role in the 1994 murder of Richard Drummond, a good Samaritan, who, at the time, was trying to help fix his attackers’ car in Excelsior Springs.
For some of the protesters gathered on the Plaza Tuesday night, their demonstration was not just about Skillicorn. It was personal.
“My son is on death row, Michael Anthony Taylor,” said Linda Taylor.
Twenty years ago, Michael Taylor kidnapped, raped and killed Ann Harrison, 14. A court stayed Taylor’s scheduled execution two years ago. His mom acknowledges the terrible nature of Michael’s crimes. However, she refuses to accept lethal injection as fair and just punishment.
“My thing is why do we kill people who kill people,” Taylor asked. “Is it to show killing is wrong? That’s wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“The real goal is to protect the legitimate well-being of people,” said Bishop Finn.
Finn sympathizes with Drummond’s family. Finn said Drummond was an example to members of the Christian faith. Finn does not doubt Skillicorn did wrong. However, Finn will never support the death penalty for any reason.
“We don’t correct that by taking his life,” Finn said. “Lock him up. Let him work on rehabilitation. There are some signs that he experienced some inner conversion. That’s good. Thanks be to God for that.”
