Bio

Michael I. Owsley was born on May 7, 1961. Owsley lived in Kansas City, Missouri, He became involved in drugs and crime. 

Murder Story

On April 18, 1993, Elvin Iverson and Ellen Cole returned to Iverson's house in Kansas City, Missouri, after a trip to sell drugs. They were met by Michael Owsley and Marion Hamilton. Owsley and Hamilton ordered Iverson and Cole to lie down on the floor at gunpoint. Hamilton had a semiautomatic weapon, and Owsley was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Hamilton demanded money from Iverson. Iverson claimed he had already given the money to someone else. Owsley began to physically assault Iverson, punching and kicking him. When Iverson continued to deny having money, Owsley took a bag from Hamilton and attempted to smother Iverson with it.

Hamilton tied Iverson and Cole's feet together using an electrical extension cord and covered them with a blanket. Owsley stood over them, threatening them by saying, "One of you will live; one of you will die." He then placed the shotgun to Iverson's head. Following Hamilton's instruction, Owsley put a pillow over Iverson's head before shooting him.

Following the murder, Owsley and Hamilton untied Cole and took her with them. While being driven away, Cole managed to escape and informed the police about the incident. Owsley was arrested the next day, April 19, 1993.

Owsley was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and armed criminal action. His trial began in October 1994, and he was found guilty. The jury recommended the death penalty, and Owsley was sentenced to death on January 6, 1995.

After several legal appeals and processes, Owsley was executed by lethal injection on February 6, 2002. His final meal consisted of steak, jumbo shrimp, and cheesecake. Before his execution, he expressed hopes for salvation and asked for mercy and forgiveness.