Attorney General's News Release

August 31, 2001

Missouri Supreme Court sets Oct. 3 execution date for Jennings man who killed neighbor for drug money in 1994

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today set an Oct. 3 execution date for Michael S. Roberts of Jennings. He was convicted of the February 1994 murder of his neighbor and acquaintance, Mary Taylor.

The United States Supreme Court had denied Roberts' petition to consider his case late last year.

Roberts (DOB - 9-28-74) told authorities in a videotaped confession that he went to the Taylor home with a hammer the night of Feb. 16, 1994, after he and friends ran out of crack cocaine and money around the same time. After Ms. Taylor let him in, the two watched television for a short time before she asked him to leave. On the way out, Roberts suddenly began striking her repeatedly with the hammer. He then strangled her with a phone cord, stabbed her several times with a steak knife, then finally held her head under water in a large pot until she drowned.

Robert took more than $200 from Ms. Taylor's purse, but returned later to take more valuables and her car. He left behind his hammer and his Cleveland Indians baseball cap at the scene of the murder. A St. Louis County convicted Roberts of the murder in 1995 and recommended he receive the death sentence.

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.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818