Missouri execution reignites death penalty debate
In Missouri, on Tuesday, the execution of 55-year-old Marcellus Williams, who was convicted of killing a woman in 1998, was carried out. The man was put to death by lethal injection. Opposition to the execution was raised, including by Williams' family, but the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed two appeals.
Marcellus Williams was sentenced to death for the murder of Lisha Gayle, a former journalist. Her body was found brutally stabbed over 40 times in her home in the suburbs of St. Louis.
Despite this, Williams maintained his innocence until the end, and the death sentence was unjustified. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell also opposed the execution, along with three of the nine Supreme Court justices and the family of the slain woman.
Marcellus Williams should be alive today. There were multiple points in the timeline when decisions could have been made that would have spared him the death penalty. If there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option — argued Bell.
There was no trace of his DNA on the murder weapon
Williams' defence emphasised that no DNA from him was found on the murder weapon, and two unidentified DNA sources could be key in identifying the real killer. Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Williams' lawyer, pointed out that he was wrongly executed by lethal injection.
As dark as today is, we owe it to Khaliifah (Marcellus Williams) to build a brighter future. We are thankful to the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney, for his commitment to truth and justice and all he did to try to prevent this unspeakable wrong. And for the millions of people who signed petitions, made calls, and shared Khaliifah’s story — stated Bushnell.
However, on Monday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson and the state's Supreme Court rejected the request to halt the execution.
No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams' innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld — justified Parson, as quoted by ABC News.
