Attorney General's News Release

August 2, 1996

Federal district judge denies petition of death row inmate convicted of 1985 killing of state trooper

Jefferson City, Mo. — Federal District Judge Edward Filippine has denied the habeas petition of Jerome Mallett, who was given the death penalty for the 1985 murder of Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper James Froemsdorf in Perry County.

The denial comes after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 26 ordered Judge Filippine to issue a ruling by Aug. 15 on the petition, which had been before him since March 1990. Attorney General Jay Nixon filed a writ of mandamus with the appeals court earlier this year, seeking an order to compel a ruling on the case.

“After six and a half years, we have a ruling that moves us closer to justice,” Nixon said. “We will continue to oppose any further efforts made by Jerome Mallett to escape the sentence given to him by 12 Missourians for the killing of this young highway patrolman.”

The trooper had stopped Mallett for speeding on I-55; Mallett slipped off his handcuffs while in custody in the patrol car and shot Froemsdorf with the trooper's own service weapon. He confessed to the killing and was convicted of first degree murder by a jury in Schuyler County.

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