ST. CHARLES • The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday set Feb. 11 as execution date for Walter T. Storey, who was three times sentenced to die for killing a neighbor here in 1990.
The court had twice overturned his capital sentences: in 1995 because the defense failed to object to outrageous comments by a prosecutor, and in 1997 because a judge failed to tell the jury that Storey had a right not to testify. He was sentenced to death yet again in 1999, and lost a series of appeals.
Storey was 32 and lived with his mother in an apartment complex in the 5500 block of Sun Lake Drive when he climbed to Jill Lynn Frey's balcony, opened a sliding door and attacked her, officials said. Frey, 36, who taught preschool for handicapped children, suffered multiple injuries, including a slit throat.
Officials said Storey stole money and her car, and returned to her apartment the next day to clean up possible evidence, including wiping under Frey's fingernails. The defense noted that Storey had been sexually abused and beaten as a child.