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Governor: State to carry out execution of Marcellus Williams after Missouri Supreme Court ruling

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced that the state will carry out the execution of Marcellus Williams on Sept. 24. Williams was convicted of murdering Felicia Gayle in 1998, stabbing her 43 times during a burglary. Physical evidence, including the victim's purse and a laptop, was found in his vehicle, and witnesses testified that Williams confessed. The announcement follows a Missouri Supreme Court ruling.In its ruling, the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, stating that Williams’ attorney failed to demonstrate his innocence or any constitutional error.Additionally, the court overruled the motion to stay the execution as moot, concluding that the prosecutor failed to prove any claims that could undermine the original judgment. “Capital punishment cases are some of the hardest issues we have to address in the Governor’s Office, but when it comes down to it, I follow the law and trust the integrity of our judicial system,” Parson said. “Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including more than 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction. No jury or court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, has ever found merit in Mr. Williams’ innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment have been upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case has led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence; therefore, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.” Throughout 23 years of appeals and habeas petitions, including claims of actual innocence and ineffective counsel, courts have upheld his conviction. Parson criticized media coverage that questioned the DNA evidence. “I also want to add how deeply disturbed we’ve been about how this case has been covered," Parson said. "Mr. Williams’ attorneys chose to muddy the waters about DNA evidence, claims of which Courts have repeatedly rejected. Yet, some media outlets and activist groups have continued such claims without so much of a mention of the judicial proceedings or an unbiased analysis of the facts." The court ruled that DNA evidence failed to establish Williams' innocence, as it matched investigators rather than an unknown assailant.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced that the state will carry out the execution of Marcellus Williams on Sept. 24.

Williams was convicted of murdering Felicia Gayle in 1998, stabbing her 43 times during a burglary.

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Physical evidence, including the victim's purse and a laptop, was found in his vehicle, and witnesses testified that Williams confessed.

The announcement follows a Missouri Supreme Court ruling.

In its ruling, the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the judgment, stating that Williams’ attorney failed to demonstrate his innocence or any constitutional error.

Additionally, the court overruled the motion to stay the execution as moot, concluding that the prosecutor failed to prove any claims that could undermine the original judgment.

“Capital punishment cases are some of the hardest issues we have to address in the Governor’s Office, but when it comes down to it, I follow the law and trust the integrity of our judicial system,” Parson said. “Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including more than 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction. No jury or court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, has ever found merit in Mr. Williams’ innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment have been upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case has led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence; therefore, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”

Throughout 23 years of appeals and habeas petitions, including claims of actual innocence and ineffective counsel, courts have upheld his conviction.

Parson criticized media coverage that questioned the DNA evidence.

“I also want to add how deeply disturbed we’ve been about how this case has been covered," Parson said. "Mr. Williams’ attorneys chose to muddy the waters about DNA evidence, claims of which Courts have repeatedly rejected. Yet, some media outlets and activist groups have continued such claims without so much of a mention of the judicial proceedings or an unbiased analysis of the facts."

The court ruled that DNA evidence failed to establish Williams' innocence, as it matched investigators rather than an unknown assailant.