Intro: The Missouri Bar Association is taking a hands off approach to the American Bar Association's call for a halt to executions until state's work out what the ABA called key problems in the death penalty system.

Lucie Wolken has more from Jefferson City.

  RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The president of the Missouri Bar Association says his organization historically stays away from taking a stance on political issues, like the death penalty.  The state organization's president is Charlie Harris.

Harris says Membership in the state's Bar Association is mandatory for practicing attornies.  The national ABA is not affiliated with the Missouri Bar.  

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Lucie Wolken.

The opposition came from a top leader in Missouri's Senate,Senator Mike Gibbons, Republican candidate for Attorney General, who said that while some states face issues withexonerations, he is not aware of any specific evidence in Missouri that would call for a moratorium. 

The St. Louis County Senator is in support of the death penalty.

Senator Gibbons says he has not supported anti death penalty legislation in the past.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Lucie Wolken