Attorney General's News Release

August 3, 1999

Supreme Court sets Sept. 1 execution date for St. Louis man who committed car-bombing murder in 1980

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today set a Sept. 1 execution date for David Leisure, sentenced to die for a 1980 car-bombing murder which occurred during a struggle for control of organized crime in St. Louis. The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon had opposed Leisure's habeas petition, which was rejected earlier this year by the United States Supreme Court.

On Sept. 17, 1980, Leisure (DOB - 6/25/50) and his cousin, Anthony Leisure, attached a bomb to the car of James Michaels Sr. while Michaels was attending services at St. Raymond's Catholic Church. As Michaels drove away on I-55, the Leisures pursued him in a van while trying to detonate the bomb by a radio-controlled device. After several unsuccessful attempts, the bomb exploded, killing Michaels.

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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