The Missouri Supreme Court had granted the State’s motion to set execution dates for two convicted killers.

Both Allen Nicklasson and Joseph Franklin have exhausted all appeals in their death sentences.

The Court set Nicklasson’s execution for October 23, 2013, and Franklin’s execution for November 20, 2013.
 

“Last month, we renewed our request that the Court set execution dates for convicted murderers Joseph Franklin and Allen Nicklasson,” said State Attorney General Chris Koster in a news release.

“We are pleased that the Court has reexamined the issue, and granted the motions. The death penalty remains a legal punishment in our state. By setting these execution dates, the Court has taken an important step to see that justice is finally done for the victims and their families.”

Nicklasson was found guilty in 1996 of first degree murder for the death of “Good Samaritan” Richard Drummond. Nicklasson was the trigger-man in the 1994 killing of Mr. Drummond, who had offered a ride to Nicklasson, Dennis Skillicorn and Tim DeGraffenreid after their car broke down on Interstate 70. The State executed Dennis Skillicorn in May 2009 for his role in the crime.

Franklin was convicted in 1997 for shooting and killing Gerald Gordon, who was standing in the parking lot of a St. Louis area synagogue after a bar mitzvah. Franklin also was convicted of shooting two other men who were in the synagogue parking lot. While Franklin will be executed for his crimes in Missouri, he also was convicted for the murder of two African-Americans in Utah, the murder of an interracial couple in Wisconsin, and the bombing of a synagogue in Tennessee. Franklin also has claimed responsibility for the shooting of Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine.