Attorney General's News Release

September 10, 1996

Federal district court denies petition of death row inmate who confessed to ambush killing of Taney County family

Jefferson City, Mo. — The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri has denied the habeas corpus petition of a man who confessed to ambushing and killing a Taney County couple and their parapalegic grandson in 1988.

Darrell J. Mease was tried and sentenced to death for the murder of 19-year-old William “Willie” Lawrence, the grandson of Lloyd Lawrence and his wife, Frankie. Mease, who was tried separately for the murder of Willie, confessed to killing all three family members.

According to the court record, Mease and Lloyd Lawrence had been involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine, or crank, before having a falling out in late 1987. During the morning hours of May 15, 1988, a camouflaged and heavily armed Mease lay in wait outside the Lawrence cabin. As the Lawrences drove past on all-terrain vehicles, he shot them with a 12-gauge shotgun. As they lay on the ground, he shot each of the victims in the back of the head at point-blank range with the shotgun and then removed Lloyd's wallet, watch and two rings.

Mease and his girlfriend eventually fled to Arizona, where Mease was arrested in January 1989 on two felony warrants issued on nonsupport charges from Stone County. Once he returned to Missouri, Mease confessed to the killings and was charged with three counts of murder. The trial was moved to Greene County on a change of venue, and a jury found him guilty and recommended the death penalty.

“These were three brutal murders that were carefully planned and executed,” said Attorney General Jay Nixon, whose office represented the state against Mease's petition. “We will continue to oppose any additional legal moves by Mease to avoid the sentence recommended by a Missouri jury.”

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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