Episode 255: The Wrongful Conviction of Marcellus Williams

The state of Missouri stands ready to execute an innocent man. After DNA evidence ruled him out as the perpetrator, the governor dismantled a team of judges reviewing his case and asked for a fast-track to his execution day. Will the newly discovered DNA evidence be considered by a court? Or will Missouri execute a wrongfully convicted man? This week’s episode is The Wrongful Conviction of Marcellus Williams.

SOURCES

Petition for Declaratory Relief, Williams v. Parson and Bailey, Cole County 19th Judicial Circuit, Mo. 2023 (August 2023 Lawsuit Petition): https://www.scribd.com/document/667057877/Midwest-Innocence-Project-argues-Missouri-death-row-inmate-Marcellus-Williams-is-innocent

Marcellus S. Williams: Saved from execution with mere hours to spare, Injustice Watch: https://www.injusticewatch.org/projects/unrequited-innocence/2019/marcellus-s-williams-saved-from-execution-with-mere-hours-to-spare/

Marcellus Williams: Missouri set to execute death row inmate despite new evidence suggesting he is innocent, Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/marcellus-williams-missouri-execution-death-row-inmate-new-evidence-innocence-murder-neil-gorsuch-a7906321.html

Execution Set For St. Louis Man Who Fatally Stabbed Woman 43 Times, Inquisitir: https://www.inquisitr.com/1775625/execution-set-for-st-louis-man-who-fatally-stabbed-woman-43-times

Governor Halts Missouri Man’s Execution for Review of DNA Evidence, Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/news/marcellus-williams-granted-stay/

Who Is Marcellus Williams: Man Facing Execution in Missouri Despite DNA Evidence Supporting Innocence, Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/news/who-is-marcellus-williams-man-facing-execution-in-missouri-despite-dna-evidence-supporting-innocence/

Marcellus Williams, Facing Execution Despite DNA Evidence of His Innocence, Sues Missouri Governor and Attorney General for Dissolving Board of Inquiry Examining the Case and Moving to Set an Execution Date, Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/news/marcellus-williams-facing-execution-despite-dna-evidence-of-his-innocence-sues-missouri-governor-and-attorney-general-for-dissolving-board-of-inquiry-examining-the-case-and-moving-to-set-an-executio/

Press Release: Gov. Parson Dissolves Board of Inquiry for Marcellus Williams, Missouri Governor's Office: https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-dissolves-board-inquiry-marcellus-williams

Executive Order 23-06, Missouri Secretary of State: https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2023/eo6

Missouri death row inmate who claims innocence sues governor for dissolving inquiry board, AP News: https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inmate-dna-evidence-6287a16b0b2c89f7ad181898b62c9bd4

Jailed But Innocent Marcellus Williams Sues Missouri Governor, Attorney General, Forensic Magazine: https://www.forensicmag.com/602273-Jailed-But-Innocent-Marcellus-Williams-Sues-Missouri-Governor-Attorney-General/

Missouri Governor Lifts Stay of Execution for Marcellus Williams, Ending Inquiry of Innocence Claim, Death Penalty Information Center: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/missouri-governor-lifts-stay-of-execution-for-marcellus-williams-ending-inquiry-of-innocence-claim

Police check out leads in slaying of former Post-Dispatch reporter,  Newspapers.com; https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-1998-felicia-gay/26014664/

How overzealous prosecution and racial bias result in unjust death sentences in Missouri, KCUR: https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-11-27/how-overzealous-prosecution-and-racial-bias-result-in-unjust-death-sentences-in-missouri

Man says he turned in his ex-cellmate to get reward, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Murder charge is expected to be filed in killing last year of former reporter, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Newspapers.com (Subscription required)

Petition for Declaratory Relief, August 28, 2023: https://www.scribd.com/document/667057877/Midwest-Innocence-Project-argues-Missouri-death-row-inmate-Marcellus-Williams-is-innocent#

Williams v. McCulloch, No. 4:15CV00070 RWS, (E.D. Mo. Jan. 14, 2015): https://casetext.com/case/williams-v-mcculloch-1

State v. Williams, No. SC 83934 (Mo. Sup. Ct. Jan. 14, 2003): https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/mo-supreme-court/1450636.html

Williams v. Roper, No. 4:05CV1474 (E.D. Mo. Mar. 30, 2007): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-moed-4_05-cv-01474/pdf/USCOURTS-moed-4_05-cv-01474-0.pdf

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Invokes Jailed Relatives to Highlight Racism in Jury Selection, Mother Jones: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/11/sonia-sotomayor-invokes-jailed-relatives-jury-racism/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182440701/felicia-anne-picus

A DEEPLY FELT LOSS SHOWS SOME THINGS CANNOT BE REBUILT, Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-08-23-9808220233-story.html

APPLICATION FOR STAY OF EXECUTION PENDING DISPOSITION OF PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI, United States Supreme Court filing: https://dpic-cdn.org/production/legacy/MarcellusWilliams2017SCOTUSStayMtn.pdf

State of Missouri v. Marcellus Williams, Appellant’s Brief: https://www.courts.mo.gov/SUP/index.nsf/0/7dfb9ac6774e228386256c21006eb279/$FILE/SC83934%20Williams'%20brief.PDF

State of Missouri v. Marcellus Williams, Respondent’s Brief: https://www.courts.mo.gov/SUP/index.nsf/0/7dfb9ac6774e228386256c21006eb279/$FILE/SC83934%20State's%20brief.PDF

Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, Supreme Court of Missouri: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3932140-PETITION-FOR-WRIT-OF-HABEAS-CORPUS-MARCELLUS

Petition for a Writ of Cert, United States Supreme Court: http://sblog.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Williams-v-Roper-11-5005-Petition.pdf