One Day Left to Save Marcellus Williams

Last week we wrote about Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams, who is set to be executed tomorrow by the state of Missouri for a crime he did not commit. 

The case has drawn nationwide attention due to DNA evidence that has cast doubt on Williams' conviction. DNA evidence has been central to Williams' defense, even prompting a stay of execution in 2017 by then-Governor Eric Greitens. Greitens' stay was based on testing that found no trace of Williams' DNA on the murder weapon, but further inquiries stalled, and a special judicial panel formed to review the case failed to reach a consensus.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion to vacate Marcellus’ conviction because he believed forensic evidence excluded Marcellus from the crime. At an Aug. 28 evidentiary hearing, Bell's office admitted that the prior administration had committed constitutional errors that contributed to Marcellus’ unreliable conviction and death sentence, including improperly handling the evidence in his case.

Last week, after previously accepting an Alford plea that the victim's family supported, the Missouri Supreme Court, at the urging of Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, rejected it and ordered Judge Bruce Hilton to proceed with an evidentiary hearing, which took place on August 28. Hilton denied the request to vacate Marcellus’ conviction and death sentence, despite the Bell's admission that the previous administration committed constitutional errors in his case.

The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear last-minute arguments on Monday to stay the execution, but it's also evident that pro-death penalty officials in Missouri have no interest in appealing to reason.

For the next 24 hours, Governor Mike Parson must hear from all the voices that overwhelmingly reject this cruel, inhumane, and unjust state-sponsored murder from moving forward.

The number for Governor Parson's office ---> 417-373-3400

Call script: 

• Hi, my name is [NAME] and I am calling regarding the impending execution of Marcellus Williams.
• Please do not let Missouri execute Marcellus, an innocent person — where there is overwhelming evidence that his trial was constitutionally unfair — on Sept. 24.
• Missouri should not commit the irreparable injustice of executing an innocent person.

We have 24 hours to do everything we can to save this man's life. Grab a phone, make the call, and spread the word.