Official announcements from Missouri Department of Corrections, Governor's office, or relevant courts

Missouri to Execute Marcellus Williams at 6 p.m. CT Despite Governor and Supreme Court Controversy

Sep 24, 2024, 06:27 AM

Marcellus Williams, a 55-year-old death row inmate in Missouri, is scheduled to be executed today at 6 p.m. CT despite significant controversy surrounding his conviction. Williams was convicted for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, but his attorneys and various advocacy groups argue that he is innocent. They have filed petitions with both the Missouri Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, citing due process violations and newly disclosed racial bias during jury selection. Despite these efforts, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican, and the state Supreme Court have refused to halt the execution. Williams' case has garnered widespread support for clemency, including from prosecutors and the victim's family, who now oppose the execution. The case has raised serious doubts about the integrity of the original trial and the evidence presented, with some prosecutors suggesting Williams was wrongfully convicted. Advocates continue to urge Governor Parson to grant clemency in the final hours before the execution.