The Missouri Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the case of Marcellus Williams, a death row inmate, who has maintained his innocence ahead of his scheduled execution. Williams, 55, was convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter found stabbed to death in her home. His lawyers and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney filed a joint brief requesting a more comprehensive hearing to review new evidence that contradicts the trial prosecutor's representations.
The brief argues that the court failed to credit newly disclosed evidence and wrongly ruled on DNA contamination issues. Williams' attorneys have also petitioned the US Supreme Court to stay the execution, citing violations of his due process rights during the legal battle. Former Governor Eric Greitens had previously halted Williams' execution indefinitely for further investigation.
