Missouri Governor — Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 23, 2024

State to Carry Out Sentence of Mr. Marcellus Williams According to Supreme Court of Missouri Order

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of Marcellus Williams on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Marcellus Williams murdered Felicia Gayle on August 11, 1998. He burglarized Ms. Gayle’s home, ambushed her as she left the shower, stabbed her 43 times and left the knife lodged in her neck, and then stole items from her home. Williams was identified as the suspect after he was arrested for a string of robberies in the St. Louis area.

“Capital punishment cases are some of the hardest issues we have to address in the Governor’s Office, but when it comes down to it, I follow the law and trust the integrity of our judicial system,” Governor Parson said. “Mr. Williams has exhausted due process and every judicial avenue, including over 15 hearings attempting to argue his innocence and overturn his conviction. No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams’ innocence claims. At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence, as such, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”

“I also want to add how deeply disturbed we’ve been about how this case has been covered. Mr. Williams’ attorneys chose to muddy the waters about DNA evidence, claims of which Courts have repeatedly rejected. Yet, some media outlets and activist groups have continued such claims without so much of a mention of the judicial proceedings or an unbiased analysis of the facts. I would just implore the media to do their due diligence and not rely on the sole claims of individuals who have a personal or monetary stake in this case. The facts are Mr. Williams has been found guilty, not by the Governor’s Office, but by a jury of his peers, and upheld by the Courts,” Governor Parson continued.

Williams has repeatedly alleged innocence despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. None of the following fact-finding entities have been convinced of his innocence: (1) a jury of his peers at trial; (2) the Missouri Supreme Court during state habeas proceedings; (3) a Board of Inquiry; nor (4) the St. Louis County Circuit Court. The State proved that Williams is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt due to a litany of factors listed below:

  • DNA technology and testing before trial did not examine “touch DNA," based on standard techniques and practices at the time. Additionally, subsequent DNA testing has never exonerated Williams.
  • Williams has a robust criminal history, including 15 felony convictions in addition to offenses related to Ms. Gayle's murder:  robbery (2), armed criminal action (2), assault (2), burglary (4), stealing (3), stealing a motor vehicle, and unlawful use of a weapon, which is all consistent with entering the home, attacking Ms. Gayle, and taking her items.
  • Williams confessed the murder to his girlfriend soon after committing his horrific crime once his girlfriend found Ms. Gayle’s purse in Williams’ car, but he also threatened to kill her and her family if she told anyone, readily explaining why his girlfriend did not approach law enforcement until Williams was in custody.
  • The girlfriend never requested the reward for information about Ms. Gayle’s murder, despite claims that she was only interested in money.
  • When speaking with law enforcement, the jailhouse informant provided information about the crime that was not publicly available, yet consistent with crime scene evidence and Williams’ involvement.
  • Other individuals were present when Williams bragged about this murder, and they were disclosed to Williams’ team before trial and have been discussed in subsequent proceedings.
  • Gayle’s personal items were found in the trunk of Williams’ car.
  • Williams sold Ms. Gayle’s husband’s laptop to another individual who later identified Williams as the seller.

Williams’ disrespect for others’ well-being and aversion to order have continued in prison, including attacking other inmates and threatening correctional officers.

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