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Nixon signs use of force update, 6 other bills into law

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin
Published July 13, 2016 at 4:56 PM CDT

Legislation updating Missouri law regarding when police can use deadly force has been signed by Gov. Jay Nixon.

House Bill 2332 brings Missouri's use of force statute in line with the U.S. Supreme Court. In Tennessee v. Garner in 1985, the nation's highest court ruled that a law enforcement officer cannot use deadly force against a fleeing suspect unless he or she has "probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others."

Before Wednesday's action Missouri law did not say that the officer has to believe the fleeing suspect is dangerous.

Credit Emanuele Berry|St. Louis Public Radio

"I thank the General Assembly for making this long-overdue change," Nixon said in a written statement. "These are life-and-death decisions, and it is vital that Missouri statutes governing the use of force are clear and consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent."

Calls for the change began after Michael Brown was shot to death by a Ferguson police officer nearly two years ago.

Nixon also signed Senate Bill 590. It brings Missouri in line with another Supreme Court ruling, Miller v. Alabama, that bars juveniles convicted of first degree murder from being sentenced to life without parole.

Other bills signed by Nixon on Wednesday:

  • House Bill 1765 – changes provisions related to judicial proceedings, including updating and streamlining Missouri's receivership laws
  • Senate Bill 578 – allows certain circuits to appoint an additional court marshal, authorizes an additional judge in certain circuits, excludes firearms from bankruptcy, and establishes the Missouri Commercial Receivership Act
  • Senate Bill 588 – Modifies provisions relating to petitions for the expungement of criminal records
  • Senate Bill 735 – Modifies laws relating to the Court Automation Fund, the Basic Legal Services Fund, and public defenders
  • Senate Bill 765 – prohibits any political subdivision or law enforcement agency from having a policy that requires or encourages officers to issue a certain number of traffic citations

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2016 St. Louis Public Radio
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.
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