As COVID-19 cases surged across the U.S., many states halted executions. Missouri stood apart: Governor Mike Parson rejected postponement requests, scheduling the nation's first execution amid the pandemic for May 19, 2020.
By mid-May 2020, COVID-19 had claimed over 4.5 million cases and 310,000 lives worldwide, disrupting every sector—including corrections. Prisons posed high transmission risks, yet executions drew less attention until a Slate.com report on May 13 highlighted Missouri's plans. Governor Parson remains the only U.S. leader refusing delays.
The inmate, Walter Barton, faces execution for the 1991 murder of an 81-year-old woman. His attorney argues innocence, citing unreliable evidence. Barton endured five trials from 1993 to 2006, securing conviction only on the last—underscoring prosecution challenges.
Barton’s legal team sought a delay, warning of gatherings risking virus spread. Parson denied it, pushing Missouri toward normalcy after months of lockdowns. He greenlit business reopenings and skipped mask mandates—even as local cases spiked.
On May 19, officials will execute Barton, innocence claims notwithstanding. Protocols align with health guidelines: temperature screenings at entry, capped attendance in three witness rooms (family, media, others) for distancing, plus masks and hand sanitizer.
