Policing death penalties

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Missouri Supreme Court has done a good job in recent years policing the excesses of the death penalty. ... But it hasn't been perfect, and the U.S. Supreme Court had to correct one of its mistakes this week. The high court set aside the death sentence of a south St. Louis County man who was shackled during his trial with leg irons, handcuffs and a belly chain.

The court ruled that it was unconstitutional to visibly shackle a defendant during the "penalty phase" of a capital murder case ... unless prosecutors demonstrate that the restraints are "essential" to security. ...

This is the second time in a month that the U.S. Supreme Court has questioned the administration of the death penalty in Missouri. Earlier, four justices said they would have stopped the execution of Vernon Brown because of questions about the constitutionality of Missouri's lethal injection process.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court actions should encourage the Missouri Supreme Court to vigilantly monitor the way the way the state carries out the most final of penalties.