Justices clear the way for Missouri’s execution of Walter Barton

This evening the Supreme Court refused to block the execution of Walter Barton, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CDT. Barton was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for the 1991 killing of Gladys Kuehler. There were no recorded dissents.

If Missouri proceeds with Barton’s execution tonight, it will be the first in the United States since Alabama’s March 5 execution of Nathaniel Woods. At least four executions have been stayed since then due to the coronavirus.