A judge in St. Louis declined to vacate the conviction and death sentence of a Missouri man, Marcellus Williams, who is scheduled for execution later this month for the stabbing death of a woman in 1998. The judge presided over an evidentiary hearing challenging Williams' guilt, where it was determined that Williams, 55, was convicted in the killing of Lisha Gayle, a social worker and former reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. His execution by lethal injection is set for Sept. 24.
Despite questions about DNA evidence on the murder weapon, the judge stated that all claims of error made by Williams have been rejected by Missouri's courts, affirming his guilt of first-degree murder and the death sentence.
Attorneys for Williams, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and the Missouri Attorney General's Office did not respond to requests for comment. Williams' lawyers are expected to seek clemency from the Governor and may appeal further.
Concerns about DNA evidence on the murder weapon were raised by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney earlier this year, leading to a hearing to consider vacating Williams' conviction. However, a new DNA report revealed contamination of the evidence due to mishandling by officials before the original trial in 2001.
Despite efforts to reach a compromise for a new plea and sentence, the Missouri Supreme Court blocked the agreement and ordered an evidentiary hearing. The judge ruled that the mishandling of the evidence prevented Williams from proving his innocence.
Prosecutors at the original trial alleged that Williams broke into Gayle's home, stabbed her 43 times, and stole items before being apprehended. Testimony from a cellmate who claimed Williams confessed to the killing was also presented.
Williams' attorneys argued that the witnesses had ulterior motives and highlighted discrepancies in the evidence. Williams, who is Black, faced questions about the composition of the trial jury, which included only one Black juror.
Williams has previously been granted a stay of execution in 2017 after DNA evidence was reviewed. The case has garnered attention due to the ongoing legal battles and questions surrounding the evidence and trial proceedings.
