Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams
1968-2024

Tonight, Missouri executed an innocent man.

Our hearts are with the family and friends of Marcellus Williams and Felicia Gayle, who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma.

Marcellus' story echoes that of too many others caught in our country’s broken criminal legal system. A Black man convicted of killing a white woman, Marcellus maintained his innocence until the very end. His conviction was based on the testimony of two eyewitnesses who were paid for their testimony. No DNA evidence linked him to the crime. And the current St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney acknowledged that errors made by the trial prosecutors — including mishandling the murder weapon and intentionally excluding Black prospective jurors in violation of the Constitution — contributed to his wrongful conviction.

Nonetheless, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office relentlessly pursued Marcellus' execution and opposed clemency. The Attorney General and Missouri Governor Mike Parson — who ultimately denied the request for clemency — ignored the wishes of the victim’s husband who has consistently made clear that he opposed the death penalty for Marcellus.

We are profoundly grateful to everyone who joined our fight for justice.

As United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who also fought for the lives of Black men condemned to death, once said: “America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.”

In solidarity,

Christina Swarns
Executive Director
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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