John, here is the latest update in Missouri's ongoing moves to block Marcellus Williams, facing execution on Sept. 24 for a crime that he didn't commit, from having the court consider new evidence of his innocence:

First, the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, agreed to a hearing on Aug. 21 to finally review previously unconsidered DNA evidence that proves Marcellus' innocence — a positive development that sets a path to exoneration.

But then the Missouri Supreme Court refused to postpone the Marcellus' execution date, which would give the Circuit Court more time to consider the exculpatory DNA results that no court has previously considered.

Now, Attorney General Andrew Bailey of Missouri is attempting to block the Circuit Court of St. Louis County from even holding a hearing to consider the DNA evidence that proves Marcellus Williams’ innocence.

If Attorney General Andrew Bailey's motion succeeds, we will lose a crucial path to proving Marcellus' innocence before his scheduled execution on Sept. 24. John, will you join us in stopping Marcellus' execution and ending this injustice before it's too late?

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If you've already signed the petition, please join the SMS advocacy team and take every opportunity to spread the word of Marcellus's innocence on social media using the hashtags #MarcellusWilliams and #SaveMarcellus.

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In the decades that Marcellus has been fighting for exoneration, he has repeatedly faced imminent execution. To date, no court has given substantive consideration to the evidence exonerating him; the Aug. 21 hearing will be the first time a court engages in that review. It is paramount that the hearing moves forward and the court is able to hear the evidence.

Marcellus has been attempting to prove his innocence throughout the almost 24 years he has spent on Missouri’s death row for a crime he didn't commit. On Aug. 11, 1998, Felicia Gayle was found stabbed to death in her home. The perpetrator left behind considerable forensic evidence, including fingerprints, a bloody shoe-print, hair, and trace DNA on the murder weapon, a knife from Ms. Gayle’s kitchen. None of this forensic evidence matches Marcellus.

After reviewing these DNA results, the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney filed a motion to vacate Mr. Williams’ conviction because he believed the DNA results proved by clear and convincing evidence that Marcellus did not commit this crime.
If Attorney General Andrew Bailey's motion to block the hearing succeeds, a court may never have the opportunity to hear this evidence before Marcellus is executed.

“Instead of trying to prevent the circuit court from considering the DNA evidence that exonerates Mr. Williams, the Attorney General should join us in this truth-seeking process in Mr. Williams’ case.”

Tricia Rojo Bushnell, attorney for Marcellus Williams
July 18, 2024

John, this is an all hands on deck moment. If this motion succeeds, Macellus loses a critical path to exoneration. Please, John, sign the petition, join the advocacy team, and don't stop talking about Marcellus and the urgent need to stop his execution.

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Thank you for your continued commitment to fighting for Marcellus.

— The Innocence Project
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The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism.

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