Attorney General's News Release

April 22, 1999

State Supreme Court sets May 26 execution date for man who murdered Clayton woman in 1988

Jefferson City, MO — The Missouri Supreme Court today set a May 26 execution date for Jessie Lee Wise, sentenced to die for the bludgeoning murder of a Clayton woman who lived in the condominiums where he worked. At the time of the murder, Wise was out of prison on a 1984 parole after serving 12 years of a life sentence for a first-degree murder in St. Louis City.

Wise (DOB - 4/8/53) told police that on Aug. 27, 1988 he killed Geraldine Rose McDonald in her condo by hitting her in the back of the head with a pipe wrench at least three times after she refused to pay him $30 in advance to wash and wax her car. Her body was discovered by her husband and two daughters on Aug. 29.

Wise drove away in the car and took cash and jewelry from her condo over the next two days to buy cocaine. Police found McDonald's car keys and credit cards in Wise's apartment and recovered one of her rings from Wise's wife and other jewelry from a pawn shop where Wise had taken it. Wise confessed to the crime after police questioned him three days after the murder.

In 1991 a St. Louis County jury convicted Wise of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, stealing and first-degree robbery, and he was sentenced to death. The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon had opposed Wise's habeas petition.

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.

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