Attorney Statement: Despite Widespread Concern About Innocence, Racial Bias, and Other Errors, Missouri Governor Denies Clemency to Marcellus Williams before Sept. 24 Execution

Case update from Sept. 24: Missouri executed Marcellus Williams. 

(September 23, 2024) Breaking: Despite widespread support for clemency based on serious doubts about the integrity of Marcellus Williams’ conviction and death sentence, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has denied clemency to Mr. Williams, who is scheduled to be executed tomorrow at 6 p.m. CT. 

The victim’s family has made clear they oppose Mr. Williams’ execution, and the St. Louis County Prosecutor moved to vacate his conviction. That motion was denied after the discovery that the trial prosecutor had contaminated potentially exculpatory DNA evidence. The Prosecuting Attorney also confessed constitutional error based on racially biased jury selection; appeals relating to this issue remain pending in state and federal court.

Mr. Williams’ case has drawn concern across the political and faith spectrum. More than one million concerned citizens petitioned Governor Parson to commute Mr. Williams’ death sentence, as did a group of 69 Missouri faith leaders from the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities. 

Below is a statement from Tricia Rojo Bushnell, an attorney for Marcellus Williams

“Missouri is poised to execute an innocent man, an outcome that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system. Given everything we know about Marcellus Williams’ case—including the new revelations that the trial prosecutor removed at least one Black juror because of his race, and opposition to this execution from the victim’s family and the sitting Prosecuting Attorney, the courts must step in to prevent this irreparable injustice.”

• Tricia Rojo Bushnell, attorney for Marcellus Williams
• September 23, 2024