Missouri judge reviews death row inmate’s innocence claim
Judge reviews Marcellus Williams' innocence claim with new DNA evidence
A Missouri judge conducted an evidentiary hearing on Wednesday to examine the innocence claim of death row inmate Marcellus Williams. Williams, 55, is scheduled for execution on 24 September for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch found stabbed in her University City home. Convicted in 2001 of first-degree murder, burglary, and robbery, Williams has consistently asserted his innocence.
St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Hilton held the hearing after the Missouri Supreme Court ordered it. This order followed the court’s blocking of an agreement between Williams and the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which would have spared Williams’ life. The case sees local prosecutor Wesley Bell, a Democrat running for Congress, opposing state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican seeking reelection.
Advocates from the Innocence Project and the Midwest Innocence Project support Williams’ innocence claim. The case underscores the risk of executing a potentially innocent person, a concern highlighted by the Death Penalty Information Center, which notes that since 1973, at least 200 death row inmates have been exonerated, including four in Missouri.
"Marcellus Williams is an innocent man, and nothing about today’s plea agreement changes that fact. By agreeing to an Alford plea, the parties will bring a measure of finality to Felicia Gayle’s family, while ensuring that Mr. Williams will remain alive as we continue to pursue pic.twitter.com/j9AWd90FJ0
— Midwest Innocence Project (@The_MIP) August 21, 2024
In January, the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, led by Bell, moved to vacate Williams’ conviction, citing unreviewed DNA evidence that could exclude Williams as the killer. Three DNA experts argued that the DNA testing excluded Williams from having wielded the knife that killed Gayle. However, Bailey’s office opposed the motion, presenting new DNA testing that suggested the knife had been handled by multiple individuals, including law enforcement, thus complicating the exoneration claim.
The Associated Press reported that new DNA testing found DNA from an investigator and the prosecutor involved in the original trial. The prosecutor testified that he touched the knife multiple times without gloves, complicating the ability to determine if Williams’ DNA was ever on the knife.
Jonathan Potts, Williams’ attorney, argued in court that the mishandling of evidence had “destroyed” Williams’ opportunity to prove his innocence. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, another attorney for Williams, echoed this sentiment, stating that the evidence mishandling had “foreclosed Mr. Williams’ ability to conclusively prove his innocence,” making his execution unjust under these circumstances.
Last week’s hearing did not proceed, leading Bell’s office to announce an agreement with Williams. This consent judgment, approved by the court and Gayle’s family, would have allowed Williams to enter an Alford plea to first-degree murder in exchange for a life sentence. However, the attorney general’s office opposed this deal and appealed to the state Supreme Court, which blocked the agreement. Bailey’s office commended the court’s decision, while the prosecutor’s office continued to express concerns about the integrity of Williams’ conviction.
Bell’s office also highlighted issues with Williams’ conviction, noting that it was based on testimony from two unreliable informants who were incentivised by $10,000 in reward money and facing their own legal issues.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Albany Herald reports that a Missouri judge has heard the case of death row inmate Marcellus Williams, who claims innocence just weeks before his scheduled execution.(read more)
- The Innocence Project highlights the numerous flaws in the American legal system, with at least 200 individuals exonerated from death row and many more facing execution due to police and prosecutorial misconduct and racial bias.(read more)
- Yahoo News reports on a Missouri death row inmate, Marcellus Williams, facing execution for a murder he claims he did not commit.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Marcellus Williams?
Marcellus Williams is a death row inmate convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle.
What was the main evidence against Marcellus Williams?
Williams was convicted primarily based on testimony from two informants who had legal troubles and were incentivized by a reward.
Why was the DNA evidence considered problematic?
The DNA evidence was contaminated and mishandled by multiple people, making it unreliable to conclusively prove innocence or guilt.
What is an Alford plea?
An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty while still asserting innocence, often to avoid harsher penalties.
What action did the Missouri Supreme Court take regarding Williams’ case?
The Missouri Supreme Court blocked an agreement that would have spared Williams’ life and resentenced him to life in prison.
