Missouri Ranks Second in Executions Nationally Since Death Penalty Reinstatement
Missouri has executed prisoners at a high rate since the reinstatement of the death penalty 50 years ago, ranking second behind Virginia. A Marshall Project analysis of data from 1972 to 2025 shows that Missouri has executed over half of…
St. Louis, MO, July 29, 2026 —
Missouri has consistently ranked among the states with the highest execution rates since the reinstatement of the death penalty approximately 50 years ago. A comprehensive analysis conducted by The Marshall Project, covering data from 1972 to 2025, indicates that Missouri stands as the second state nationally in the number of executions, trailing only Virginia.
The data reveals a stark contrast between Missouri and the rest of the country regarding the application of capital punishment. In Missouri, over half of all individuals sentenced to death have been executed. This rate is significantly higher than the national average, where approximately 18% of those sentenced to death have been executed during the same period.
Despite the state’s high execution rate, the trend in Missouri shows a declining number of death sentences being imposed since the 1990s. This decrease comes amidst ongoing debates and scrutiny surrounding capital punishment.
Critics of the death penalty in Missouri frequently highlight several persistent concerns. These include allegations of racial disparities, both in the selection of juries and in the prosecutorial decisions to seek the death penalty. Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the mental capacity of some defendants and the substantial financial costs associated with capital trials.
The issue of racial bias has been a particular point of contention in St. Louis County. Concerns about discriminatory jury selection practices have surfaced, with specific attention drawn to cases involving former prosecutor Bob McCulloch.
The future of the death penalty in Missouri remains a subject of legislative debate. While some lawmakers are advocating for the abolition of capital punishment, others are proposing measures to expand its application. This divergence in legislative approaches reflects the complex and deeply divided opinions on the death penalty within the state.
Story summarized from the original created by Katie Moore on www.stlpr.org, see more information here.
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