Missouri governor denies pardon to Marcellus Williams

(23 September 2024) Break: Despite widespread support for a clemency due to serious questions about the legality of Marcellus Williams' conviction and death sentence, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has denied a request for clemency for Mr. Williams, whose execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT tomorrow.

The victim's family has made it clear that they oppose Mr. Williams' execution, and the St. Louis County District Attorney has filed a motion to overturn his conviction. That motion was denied after it was determined that the prosecutor may have tampered with exculpatory DNA evidence. The prosecutor also acknowledged constitutional error due to racially biased jury selection; appeals on the matter are still pending in state and federal courts.

Mr. Williams' case has raised concerns across the political and religious spectrum. More than a million concerned citizens have asked Governor Parson to commute Mr. Williams' death sentence, as has a group of 69 Missouri religious leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.

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

“Missouri is on the brink of executing an innocent man, an outcome that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire criminal justice system. Given everything we know about the Marcellus Williams case – including the new revelations that the prosecutor excluded at least one black juror because of his race, and the opposition to this execution by the victim's family and the sitting prosecutor – the courts must intervene to prevent this irreparable injustice.”

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