Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that the execution of Marcellus Williams is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, following a ruling from the Supreme Court of Missouri.
Marcellus Williams was convicted of murdering Felicia Gayle on August 11, 1998. He broke into her home, assaulted her as she exited the shower, stabbed her 43 times, and left the knife in her neck before stealing items from her residence. Williams was apprehended after being linked to other robberies in the St. Louis area.
Governor Parson stated, “Capital punishment cases are among the most challenging issues we face in the Governor’s Office. However, I adhere to the law and have faith in the integrity of our judicial system. Mr. Williams has exhausted all legal avenues, including over 15 hearings where he attempted to assert his innocence and overturn his conviction. Neither juries nor courts, at any level, have found merit in his claims of innocence. Ultimately, his guilty verdict and capital punishment sentence have been upheld. The facts of this case do not lead me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence; therefore, his sentence will be carried out as mandated by the Supreme Court.”
The Governor also expressed concern about the media coverage of the case, criticizing Williams’ attorneys for introducing questionable DNA evidence that has been consistently dismissed by the courts. He urged media outlets to conduct thorough investigative journalism rather than solely rely on claims from individuals with vested interests.
Despite claims of innocence, various judicial bodies—including a jury, the Missouri Supreme Court, and a Board of Inquiry—have upheld Williams’ conviction. The evidence against him includes:
– Prior DNA testing methods did not assess “touch DNA,” and subsequent testing has not exonerated him.
– Williams has a significant criminal history, with 15 felony convictions and multiple related offenses, which align with the circumstances of Ms. Gayle’s murder.
– He confessed to the murder to his girlfriend shortly after the crime but threatened her to prevent her from reporting it.
– His girlfriend did not seek the reward offered for information about the murder, contrary to claims of her seeking financial gain.
– A jailhouse informant provided details about the crime that were not publicly known, corroborated by evidence from the crime scene.
– Witnesses reported that Williams bragged about the murder, and his behavior has remained violent and threatening within the prison system, including assaults on fellow inmates and threats to correctional officers.