The execution of Marcellus Williams is set to take place on Tuesday after both the Missouri Supreme Court and Governor Mike Parson denied requests to postpone the lethal injection.
Williams’ attorney argued that the state Supreme Court should halt the execution due to alleged racial discrimination in jury selection, specifically claiming that a Black juror was excluded based on their resemblance to Williams. However, the court dismissed this argument, stating, “Despite nearly a quarter century of litigation in both state and federal courts, there is no credible evidence of actual innocence or any showing of a constitutional error undermining confidence in the original judgment.”
Williams, who is 55 years old, is on death row for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle in a suburb of St. Louis. He has maintained his innocence, but his legal strategy in recent filings has centered around procedural issues rather than innocence claims.
His attorney, Jonathan Potts, contended that the Supreme Court should rectify an injustice by acknowledging that a juror was improperly excluded or remanding the case for further examination. In contrast, the Missouri Attorney General’s office argued that the execution should go ahead, emphasizing that the trial prosecutor acted within the law and without racial bias.
Williams had sought clemency from Governor Parson, arguing that Gayle’s relatives wanted the death sentence commuted to life in prison. Despite these appeals, Parson stated that he would adhere to the court’s ruling, noting that all judicial avenues had been exhausted and emphasizing the integrity of the legal system.
Parson, who has overseen 11 executions and has never granted clemency, faced pressure from the NAACP to halt the execution. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, representing Williams, expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the criminal justice system, citing issues surrounding jury selection and the lack of support for the execution from the victim’s family.
If carried out, Williams’ execution will be Missouri’s third execution of the year and the 100th since the state resumed executions in 1989. In January 2015, a scheduled execution was halted to allow for further DNA testing. Another near-execution in August 2017 was put on hold by then-Governor Eric Greitens after new DNA evidence emerged, which ultimately was deemed spoiled due to improper handling by prosecutors.
Recent hearings have shown that even with the DNA evidence issues, the circuit court reaffirmed Williams’ conviction and death sentence, stating that no basis exists to find him innocent. The state Supreme Court reiterated that previous decisions have not supported claims of racial discrimination regarding juror selection.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell has raised questions about Williams’ guilt and the integrity of his conviction, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the death penalty is not applied in cases where doubt exists. Prosecutors in Williams’ original trial described a violent home invasion and subsequent murder but faced scrutiny over the credibility of key testimonies against him.
Amid the proceedings, allegations emerged regarding the motivations of witnesses, including potential gains from a reward offered by authorities. Governor Parson has echoed the assertion that the evidence against Williams and the judicial process leading to his conviction remain intact, justifying the upcoming execution.