In a last-minute decision, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has denied the attempt to stay the execution of Brian Dorsey, a 52-year-old man convicted in the December 2006 double-murder of his cousin and her husband. Despite arguments from Dorsey's legal team and supporters that he has been rehabilitated, Parson stated that carrying out Dorsey's sentence according to Missouri law and the Court's order will deliver justice and provide closure.

The tragic events unfolded two days before Christmas in 2006 when Dorsey's cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben Bonnie, took him in due to threats from drug dealers looking to collect on his debt. Dorsey, who was in a "psychotic state" after a 72-hour crack binge without sleep, shot the couple with their own shotgun while they were in bed. The couple left behind a 4-year-old daughter.

Prosecutors revealed that Dorsey had taken several belongings from the victims, including a cellphone, jewelry, two firearms, and a copy of "Bambi II." These items were later used by Dorsey to repay his drug debt, as per court records filed by prosecutors.

Dorsey's current attorneys argued that their client had received ineffective counsel during his trial. They claimed that the trial attorneys failed to conduct a proper investigation and provided no defense strategy in exchange for Dorsey's guilty plea. Additionally, his attorneys alleged that the original legal team did not disclose Dorsey's drug-induced psychosis.

Of particular concern is the flat fee payment system that the trial attorneys operated under, receiving a mere $12,000 for their services. Mary Fox, director of the Missouri State Public Defender System, argued that such a practice discourages thorough work and may have been a contributing factor to the inadequate defense provided.

In support of Dorsey's case, Fox wrote a letter to the courts highlighting that flat fees in death penalty cases have been recognized as a violation of American Bar Association guidelines and Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct. She acknowledged the prevalence of ineffective assistance of counsel in such cases, calling for fair compensation that reflects the extraordinary responsibilities inherent in death penalty representation.

Dorsey's attorneys contended that the Eighth Amendment should protect individuals who have been rehabilitated from facing execution. They argued that Dorsey's exemplary behavior during his time on Missouri's death row presents an opportunity for the Court to address this crucial question.

Despite these arguments, Governor Parson stands firm in his decision, emphasizing that the pain Dorsey inflicted on others can never be rectified. The execution is now set to proceed according to Missouri law and the Court's order, bringing a sense of justice and closure to this tragic case.