Inmate's attorneys seek clemency

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Attorneys for a convicted killer scheduled to be executed Nov. 20 say jurors might have recommended life in prison if they had known about the defendant's brain injuries.

William R. Jones' supporters and attorneys want the courts to grant him a new sentencing trial or Missouri Gov. Bob Holden to change the death sentence to life in prison without parole. Jones, 37, was sentenced to death for the 1986 shooting death of Stanley Albert, 49.

, of North Kansas City.

Prosecutors said Jones shot Albert five times in the neck and chest to steal the victim's Chevrolet Camaro. Albert's body was found wrapped in a blanket near Independence.

At a news conference Monday, Jones' attorneys did not dispute that their client killed Albert, but they said trial lawyers did not present enough evidence to mitigate the death penalty.

Trial lawyers did not tell jurors about brain damage Jones suffered from extensive head injuries as a child and from an attack months before the murder, defense lawyer Charles Rogers said. He is filing late appeals and petitioning the governor for clemency.

"These are issues that can be submitted for the governor's consideration, but the courts have rejected them," said Scott Holste, a spokesman for Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.