Exonerees and advocates gathered at the Missouri Capitol on Thursday to call out Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey for opposing efforts to overturn the murder conviction of Marcellus Williams, who is scheduled to be executed on September 24.
Why it matters: The case highlights the ongoing debate about the fallibility of the legal system and the irreversible consequences of the death penalty.
The details:
- Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her suburban St. Louis home.
- New DNA evidence, which wasn’t available at the time of the killing, showed that DNA on the knife matched someone else, not Williams.
- St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell submitted a motion in January to vacate Williams’ conviction based on this DNA evidence.
- Bailey’s office has consistently opposed efforts to overturn convictions, arguing that the justice system should respect the finality of the jury’s determination.
The advocates, including exonerees who spent years on death row before being proven innocent, shared their stories and urged Bailey to reconsider Williams’ case.
What they’re saying:
- “We’re asking the Attorney General of Missouri to stop acting like innocence doesn’t matter,” said Herman Lindsey, executive director of Witness to Innocence and an exoneree from Florida’s death row.
- “The Missouri Attorney General’s office is emphasizing winning and personal gain over truth and justice,” Lindsey added. “To them, executing a person is just the cost of doing business.”
- “It’s unfair for the Attorney General to fight a claim of innocence,” said Eric Anderson, co-founder of the Organization of Exonerees. “Why block a hearing? Why try to execute this man?”
The other side: Bailey defended his position, stating that the justice system should respect and defer to the finality of the jury’s determination and emphasizing the importance of honoring the victims’ voices.
What’s next: A St. Louis County Circuit Court judge is set to hold an evidentiary hearing on August 21 to determine Williams’ innocence. The case underscores the ongoing debate about justice, the legal system’s fallibility, and the irreversible consequences of the death penalty.
Full story
Exonerees and advocates gathered at the Missouri Capitol on Thursday to call out Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey for opposing efforts to overturn the murder conviction of Marcellus Williams. Williams, 55, is scheduled to be executed on September 24 for the 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery at her suburban St. Louis home.
He was granted a reprieve after DNA testing, which wasn’t available at the time of the killing, showed that DNA on the knife matched someone else. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell submitted a motion in January to vacate Williams’ conviction based on this new evidence.
However, Bailey’s office has consistently opposed these efforts, arguing that the state Supreme Court had already rejected Williams’ innocence claims twice. Kirk Bloodsworth, a co-founder of Witness to Innocence, a group that advocates for death row prisoners who might have been wrongfully convicted, called on Bailey to “reverse course” and support people with serious innocence claims like Williams. “We’re asking the Attorney General of Missouri to stop acting like innocence doesn’t matter,” said Herman Lindsey, executive director of Witness to Innocence and an exoneree from Florida’s death row.
“We are asking you to represent the people of Missouri by looking for the truth over politics.”
Bailey defended his position by stating that the justice system “should respect and defer to the finality of the jury’s determination.” He emphasized the importance of honoring the victims’ voices, which he felt were often forgotten in these cases.
Exonerees urge Missouri AG to reconsider
This is not the first time Bailey has opposed efforts to free potentially innocent individuals.
In 2023, he opposed the release of Lamar Johnson, who spent 28 years in prison for murder before a St. Louis judge overturned his conviction. Similarly, Sandra Hemme, 64, was released in June after a judge ruled that her attorneys had established clear and convincing evidence of “actual innocence,” despite Bailey’s opposition.
Political scientists suggest that Bailey’s efforts may be a way to appear tough on crime and shore up votes in advance of a tough primary race. Williams’ case highlights the ongoing debate about justice, the legal system’s fallibility, and the irreversible consequences of the death penalty. The advocates’ rally underscores the broader implications of wrongful convictions and capital punishment.
A hearing is planned for August 21 before a St. Louis County court judge to determine Williams’ innocence. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for both Williams and the broader conversation about criminal justice reform in Missouri.
- APNews.”Exonerees call on Missouri Republican attorney general to stop fighting innocence claims”.
- NewsLeader.”Death row exonerees urge Missouri AG to consider Marcellus Williams’ innocence”.
- Komu.”Innocence advocates gather at state Capitol, call out Missouri AG Bailey”.