Bio

Mose Young was born on December 25, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in a public housing project and faced many challenges in his early life. His family struggled financially, as his father worked in low-paying jobs and could not provide much support.

Despite these tough conditions, Young was remembered by his relatives as a generous and kind child. He often shared what little he had with other children. However, as he grew older, he became involved in crime and faced legal issues. His first arrest occurred in August 1975 for possession of heroin, and he spent a year in jail after pleading guilty.

In June 1981, Young was arrested again for assault. He received a six-month sentence after pleading guilty. By the early 1980s, his life continued to be filled with trouble. Young's life took a drastic turn in 1983 when he was involved in a series of violent events that led to arrests and charges.

Throughout his youth, Mose Young's environment played a significant role in shaping his life. Growing up in a community with limited resources and opportunities, combined with his involvement in drugs and violence, made it difficult for him to escape the cycle of crime.

Murder Story

On February 8, 1983, Mose Young entered a pawn shop in St. Louis, Missouri, carrying a rifle. He had previously tried to pawn a gold-plated stickpin but was refused by the shop owner, Lee Rascover. Rascover told Young that the pin was worthless and threatened to call the police. Following a heated argument, Young left the shop, but returned later with the rifle.

Inside the second pawn shop, Young encountered four individuals: Ronnell Bennett, Sol Marks, James Schneider, and Kent Bicknese. After entering, Young pointed the rifle at Bennett and fired. The shot struck and killed Bicknese, who was standing nearby. When Schneider emerged from his office, Young turned and shot him as well.

Bennett managed to escape to a basement, leaving Marks behind. Marks fell during their retreat, and Bennett hid in a vault. While he was hidden, the police arrived. After the incident, the bodies of Bicknese and Schneider were found in the lobby area of the shop, while Marks's body was discovered in a hallway.

Mose Young was arrested the day after the murders and was charged with three counts of capital murder and robbery. His trial began in 1984, and the jury found him guilty on May 19 of that year, sentencing him to death on July 6, 1984.

Despite his convictions, Young claimed that he did not commit the murders, asserting that another man named "Mickey" was the shooter. He maintained this claim throughout his time on death row. Young's execution took place by lethal injection on April 25, 2001, at the Potosi Correctional Center.