Missouri Has Wrongfully Executed Marcellus Williams, an Innocent Man, Against Victim’s Family’s Wishes
Sources: The Guardian, Vox, Innocence Project
What’s Happening?
On September 24th, Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams, 55, was executed in Missouri by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Central Time at the Bonne Terre state prison, despite maintaining his innocence. He is the 100th person that the state has executed since 1976. Missouri proceeded with the execution of Williams, despite serious doubts about his guilt. No physical evidence tied him to the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, and DNA testing confirmed his DNA was not on the murder weapon. Still, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a stay of execution, and Governor Mike Parson refused clemency. Williams’ legal team also argued that dissolving the review board violated his constitutional rights, but the execution proceeded. This decision was made despite widespread public opposition, including over a million signatures calling for a commutation and support from the St. Louis prosecutor and the victim’s family. “The family defines closure as Marcellus being allowed to live,” the petition stated. “Marcellus’ execution is not necessary.”
The use of capital punishment has diminished in recent years due to growing concerns about its effectiveness as a deterrent, its humanity, and racial disparities in death sentences. A 2016 study from Washington State revealed that Black defendants are four times more likely to receive a death sentence than non-Black defendants in similar cases. While 27 states still allow the death penalty, 14 have not conducted any executions in the past decade.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:
👉 Support justice organizations: Donate or volunteer with groups like Innocence Project, eji_org, and @exonerationproject who work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.
👉 Contact your representatives: Urge them to push for the abolition of the death penalty in your state.
👉 Take a stand against the death penalty @deathpenaltyaction.
