Execution of Marcellus Williams carried out in Missouri despite efforts by prosecutor to halt it

Marcellus Williams, a man convicted of the murder of newspaper reporter Felicia “Lisha” Gayle in 1998, was executed in Missouri despite claims of innocence from his attorneys. The execution was approved by Governor Mike Parson and the Supreme Court, despite efforts to halt it. Williams’ attorneys argued that his DNA was not found on the murder weapon and that his trial was unfair because of racial discrimination in jury selection. The St. Louis County Prosecutor also sought to stop the execution, as new DNA evidence excluded Williams from the murder weapon. The Missouri Supreme Court rejected these arguments, stating that there was no credible evidence of innocence. Williams’ attorneys also pointed out mishandling of evidence by the prosecution during the trial. The NAACP and U.S. Rep. Cori Bush criticized the execution as a miscarriage of justice and a perpetuation of racial bias. This was the third time Missouri attempted to execute Williams, with previous stays in 2015 and 2017. Despite evidence showing Williams was not the source of the DNA on the murder weapon, the execution was carried out. The U.S. Supreme Court’s liberal justices would have granted a stay of execution, but it was not enough to prevent Williams from being put to death.

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