A Missouri dying row inmate scheduled for execution in lower than per week is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. CNN experiences that Marcellus Williams, 55, acquired a first-degree homicide conviction in 2001 for stabbing Felicia Gayle to dying in her house in 1998.

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Missouri Death Row Inmate Asks For Halt On Execution

Despite the conviction, Marcellus Williams has all the time claimed his innocence in Felicia Gayle’s homicide. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court argues that Williams confronted unfair therapy of his authorized rights through the prolonged course of to forestall his execution.

However, if authorities finalize the choice to execute Williams, he’ll obtain deadly injection on Sept. 24. According to AP, this might mark Missouri’s third execution this 12 months and the 14th nationwide.

The NAACP is urging Governor Michael Parson to cease Marcellus’ execution, highlighting the dying penalty’s historic racial disparities, particularly in Missouri.

“Killing Mr. Williams, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of killing a White woman, would amount to a horrible miscarriage of justice and a perpetuation of the worst of Missouri’s past,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Missouri State Conference President Nimrod Chapel Jr. wrote in a letter to Parson.

The St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney famous earlier this 12 months that Marcellus’ authentic trial had constitutional errors, together with the elimination of a Black juror based mostly on race.

Per CNN, Williams’ legal professionals level out that former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens indefinitely halted his execution and created a board to investigation his case for attainable clemency.

“The Governor’s actions have violated Williams’ constitutional rights and created an exceptionally urgent need for the Court’s attention,” the court docket paperwork state.

More Details On Marcellus Williams Case

Police had no leads for 10 months after Felicia Gayle’s dying till her husband, Dr. Daniel Picus supplied a $10,000 reward. Then, Henry Cole contacted authorities, claiming Marcellus confessed to the homicide whereas they had been jailed collectively.

The Missouri Independent notes that the prosecution used unreliable informant testimony and circumstantial proof in opposition to Marcellus Williams.

The outlet reveals that months later, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Laura Asaro’s arrest for intercourse work. She claimed to have details about Gayle’s homicide however later stated she was making an attempt to keep away from arrest. After studying concerning the reward, she implicated Marcellus.

AP states that Prosecutor Wesley Bell challenged DNA proof on the homicide weapon whereas looking for a listening to on Marcellus’ guilt. He said that the butcher knife used to kill Felicia Galye had another person’s DNA, not Williams.’

Marcellus’ attorneys and Bell argued that mishandling the contaminated weapon, obscuring essential DNA proof might have helped to exonerate him.

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