Attorney General's News Release

January 7, 2002

Supreme Court sets Feb. 6 execution date for Kansas City man who tortured, shot bound victim in 1993

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today set an execution date of Feb. 6, 2002, for Michael I. Owsley, of Kansas City, convicted of killing 18-year-old Elvin Iverson in April 1993 at a house in Kansas City during a robbery.

Owsley (DOB: 5-7-61) and an accomplice, Marion Hamilton, brandished weapons and confronted Iverson and a female companion on April 18, 1993, inside the house where Iverson was staying. After tying up the pair, Owsley and Hamilton demanded that Iverson give them drug money they believed he had in his possession.

Owsley became enraged when Iverson denied he had any money and punched and kicked him, then beat him in the face with the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun. Iverson and the woman were tied up, and Owsley then shot Iverson in the head at point-blank range, killing him. The woman who was with Iverson later escaped and notified police; she testified against Owsley during his 1994 trial.

Owsley was convicted in Jackson County of first-degree murder, kidnapping and two counts of armed criminal action. The jury recommended the death sentence on the murder conviction. Owsley received 30 years in prison on the other charges.

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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