Attorney General's News Release

October 29, 1996

Supreme Court sets Dec. 11 execution date for prisoner who strangled his cellmate

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today scheduled a Dec. 11 execution date for Richard Zeitvogel, convicted of the 1984 strangulation murder of his cellmate at the state prison in Jefferson City. Last week the United States Supreme Court denied Zeitvogel's petition to hear his case again.

On March 25, 1984, Zeitvogel kill Gary Dew by strangling him with a double strand wire. He already was serving a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years for the killing of another inmate. Zeitvogel, who was originally sent to prison on a sentence of rape and armed criminal action, later made statements that if he received the death penalty he could room with Frank Guinan on death row.

“This is a man who has killed twice in prison, and a life sentence has already proven meaningless for him,” said Attorney General Jay Nixon. “A jury of 12 Missourians considered his history of violence and determined that the death penalty was the only appropriate punishment for Richard Zeitvogel.”

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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