KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The state of Missouri will execute Marcellus Williams on Tuesday for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, despite efforts to rehabilitate the 55-year-old.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt to intervene in the case on Tuesday. Going to the Supreme Court was Williams’ last chance to delay or prevent his execution.
In Missouri, death row inmates can be exonerated in several ways. Their attorneys can file appeals and challenge the original sentence in other ways.
Williams spent years on this process.
In 2021, a new law gave Missouri prosecutors the authority to present past cases to judges in an effort to overturn convictions.
The St. Louis County District Attorney tried that route on Williams’ behalf. The case went to the Missouri Supreme Court, which denied the motion Monday night.
A prisoner can also escape death row through a decision by the governor. A stay delays the execution.
Governor Eric Greitens granted Williams a reprieve in 2017.
The governor may also grant clemency to an inmate, such as a pardon, commutation or reprieve.
Acting Governor Mike Parson denied Williams’ request for clemency on Monday.
Some lawmakers want to abolish the death penalty.
Democratic Rep. Richard Brown of the Kansas City area has repeatedly joined with lawmakers from both parties to support bills to abolish the death penalty in Missouri, but the proposals have never become law.
“I’m afraid we’re going to make that terrible mistake and execute someone who really didn’t commit the crime,” Brown said, listing his many reasons for opposing the death penalty.
In 2023, four prisoners were executed in Missouri.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics on both sides of the state line. If you have a story idea you’d like to share, you can email Charlie at [email protected].
