Marcellus Williams is scheduled to be executed Tuesday for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle. He has maintained his innocence and appealed based on alleged jury selection bias and mishandling of evidence, but his requests were denied by both the Missouri Supreme Court and Governor Mike Parson.
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 Clemency
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 Man's Execution To Proceed Despite Last-Minute Legal ChallengesMarcellus 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.
Read more »
Missouri's Drinkwitz Shares Key Observations in Week 1 Win, Where Missouri Needs to IWeek one of the college football season went as smoothly as the Missouri Tigers could've hoped for. Missouri gained its first shutout win in a season-opener si
Read more »
All Things Mizzou Podcast: Tigers Handle Business in Week 1, Buffalo PreviewMissouri football reporters recap Missouri's week 1 win and look ahead to week 2.
Read more »
South Carolina AG: Freddie Owens to Be Executed Despite Key Witness' Bombshell ClaimBrett Wilkins is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
Read more »
Missouri patient contracts bird flu despite no known contact with animalsThe case raises questions about how the person was exposed to the virus. All the previous U.S. infections were among people who worked around cows and poultry.
Read more »
Missouri patient tests positive for bird flu despite no known exposure to animalsThe risk to the general public remains low, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said in a statement
Read more »