A crucial hearing in Missouri’s Supreme Court on Monday could determine whether Marcellus Williams, a 55-year-old man convicted of a 1998 murder, will be executed as scheduled on Tuesday.
Williams, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for the fatal stabbing of former reporter Felicia Gayle, has long maintained his innocence. His legal team, along with several prominent organizations, are making final appeals to halt the execution, citing concerns over trial violations and mishandled evidence.
The case has gained significant attention, with the NAACP, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and US Representative Cori Bush calling for clemency. Williams’ attorneys argue that no physical evidence ties him to the crime, pointing to issues with DNA testing on the murder weapon and the unreliability of two key witnesses who have since died.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, who filed a motion in January to vacate Williams’ conviction, is one of the key figures in the ongoing effort to prevent the execution. Bell and Williams’ defense team have requested a more thorough hearing on the case, following a recent ruling that rejected the motion to overturn the conviction. Bell’s motion highlights concerns over racial bias in jury selection and the contamination of DNA evidence, which originally supported Williams’ claim of innocence.
Williams’ legal battle has been complicated by new DNA analysis that matched the murder weapon to a prosecutor and investigator from the original trial, rather than an unknown suspect. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has consistently opposed efforts to vacate Williams’ conviction, arguing that the jury’s decision should be respected and that Williams is guilty.
Despite these hurdles, Williams has previously had his execution stayed twice, in 2015 and 2017. His supporters argue that the risk of executing an innocent person highlights the dangers of capital punishment. The Missouri Supreme Court’s decision on Monday could be the final word on whether Williams faces execution or is granted another chance to prove his innocence. If no intervention occurs, Williams is set to be executed at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
USA Today, the New York Times, and CNN contributed to this report.
