Missouri Gov. Parson pardons former slave executed in 1855

ST. LOUIS - Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced several pardons and commutations on Friday, including a posthumous pardon for a former Missouri slave that was executed over 160 years ago.

Celia Newsom, a former Missouri slave woman executed for killing her master in 1855, was one of 16 individuals to receive a pardon from Parson before his term ends in January. The pardon comes nearly 169 years following Newsom's execution.

According to Douglas O. Linder from UMKC's School of Law, 19-year-old Celia Newsom killed her slave master, Robert Newsom, by striking him in the head twice with a stick following several years of sexual abuse. After the murder, Newsom burned his body in a fire place in an attempt to hide the evidence.

Newsom's trial came at a time of high tensions over slavery. Although there was a law in Missouri that allowed women to argue self-defense by resisting such assaults, Newsom faced an unfair trial and was later convicted of first-degree murder by an all-white jury of men. She was sentenced to death by hanging and was executed on Dec. 21, 1855.

The new set of pardons and commutes from Governor Parson acknowledge past wrongdoings from individuals and offers second chances. Newsom was the only posthumous selection to be pardoned in the set announced Friday.

Along with the 16 individuals pardoned, Governor Parson approved nine commutes, including a man from St. Louis County who had police fighting for his freedom. The granted set of actions marks the closure of clemency petitions under Parson's term, which ends on Jan. 13, 2025.

To see the full list of Governor Parson's pardons and commutes, click here.