Marcellus Williams, scheduled to be executed Tuesday for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, suffered setbacks Monday when both the Missouri Supreme Court and Governor Mike Parson rejected requests to halt his execution. Williams maintains his innocence but legal appeals focused on alleged procedural errors in jury selection and handling of evidence.
A Missouri man seeking to avoid execution suffered dual setbacks Monday as the state’s top court and governor each rejected requests to cancel his scheduled lethal injection.
The state Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, affirmed a lower court ruling rejecting Williams’ arguments. “Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence,” Parson said in a statement. “As such, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell has sought to set aside Williams' sentence, citing questions about his guilt. He plans to appeal the Missouri Supreme Court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, spokesman Chris King said.
This marks the third time Williams has faced execution. He was less than a week away from execution in January 2015 when the state Supreme Court called it off, allowing time for his attorneys to pursue additional DNA testing. Without DNA evidence pointing to any alternative suspect, Midwest Innocence Project attorneys reached a compromise with the prosecutor’s office: Williams would enter a new, no-contest plea to first-degree murder in exchange for a new sentence of life in prison without parole.
Hilton ruled on Sept. 12 that the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence would stand, noting that Williams' arguments all had been previously rejected. That decision was upheld Monday by the state Supreme Court.
Execution Missouri Marcellus Williams Lisha Gayle Death Penalty
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Missouri judge rejects innocence claim of Marcellus Williams who faces executionA judge has declined to vacate the conviction and death sentence of Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams, who is facing execution for killing of a woman in her home in 1998.
Read more »
Missouri Considering Marcellus Williams Case Day Before Scheduled ExecutionMissouri Supreme Court is set to hear last-minute arguments in Marcellus Williams' case.
Read more »
Missouri judge rejects innocence claim of Marcellus Williams who faces executionA judge has declined to vacate the conviction and death sentence of Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams, who is facing execution for killing of a woman in her home in 1998. A St. Louis County circuit judge presided over an August evidentiary hearing challenging Marcellus Williams’ guilt in the stabbing death of social worker Lisha Gayle.
Read more »
Marcellus Williams' execution set to proceed Tuesday, Missouri Supreme Court rulesLawyers for Marcellus Williams, who maintains his innocence, argued Monday the execution should be halted over the exclusion of a potential Black juror.
Read more »
Missouri judge rejects innocence claim of Marcellus Williams who faces executionA judge has declined to vacate the conviction and death sentence of Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams, who is facing execution for killing of a woman in her home in 1998.
Read more »
NAACP Urges Missouri to Stay Marcellus Williams' ExecutionMarcellus Williams, 55, is set to be executed by lethal injection on Tuesday despite maintaining his innocence.
Read more »