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KANSAS CITY, Mo. —A late appeal has delayed the planned execution a man who took part in a notorious kidnapping and murder of a Kansas City-area teenage girl more than a quarter-century ago.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing an appeal regarding Nunley's attorney that she has a conflict of interest that kept him from receiving adequate counsel. One of the arguments was that she had so many death penalty clients executed that it has left her unable to function as a lawyer.
It was unclear how long it might take for the Supreme Court to issue a decision.
Nunley was one of two men convicted in the kidnapping and killing of Ann Harrison, 15, who was taken while she was waiting for a school bus. Her body was found three days later in the trunk of a stolen car. Police said she had been raped, sodomized and stabbed with kitchen knives.
Michael Taylor, the other man convicted in the case, was executed last year.
Nunley and Taylor confessed to the killings with each arguing they were the ringleader. They both waived trials and pleaded guilty before a judge sentenced them to die.
“If somebody had told me it was going to take 25 years to get them executed, I would have said, ‘You are out of your mind,’” said retired detective Pete Edlund, who worked the case.
He said police cracked the case when a jailhouse snitched stepped forward for the reward money. He said that informant faced robbery charges and needed money for bail and lawyer.
The executions were held up during lengthy appeals and challenges to Missouri’s execution procedures. After debates over which drugs should be used to give lethal injections, Missouri no longer identifies the exact drugs it uses.
Harrison’s friends are now adults, many with teenage children of their own.
“It is a tough day. It brings back lots of feelings, emotions and memories,” said Carrie Willis, one of Harrison’s friends.
She said this is a difficult, but important day.
“Maybe now we can move on and remember Ann,” she said. “Just remember Ann and not why it has taken so long.”
Harrison’s friends Kelly Potter and Amy Kaye also posted a message on Facebook.
“Today is a tough day. It has been over 26 years that those of us close to Ann Harrison have waited for justice to be served.”
“Ann was a sweet, shy, family oriented girl who loved life, was nice to everyone she met and would help anyone who needed it. She was an excellent student, softball player and had a love of music.”
“On that day in March of 1989, this earth lost a beautiful soul for no good reason. People are eternally bonded through this tragedy. We will continue to honor the memory of our dear friend and life that she lead and dreamed of leading. She remains in our hearts and thoughts forever. We will always have #LoveForAnn.”
"I know that putting these two to death will never bring back Ann. And while she's gone from this Earth, she is most certainly with God and waiting for the day when she is reunited with her loved ones. She is at peace. Her memory lives on in OUR hearts and minds, and she will never be forgotten by any of us," friend Tricia Wear posted on Facebook.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/planned-execution-of-ann-harrisons-killer-to-help-friends-move-on/35048568
News video @ link (unable to embed): http://www.kmbc.com/news/missouri-poised-to-execute-man-who-abducted-kc-teen-from-bus-stop/35050264
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