The wrongful execution of Marcellus Williams

Deacon Dave Billips, with the Office of Peace and Justice with the St. Louis Archdiocese, holds a sign as he stands with protesters holding space to halt the execution of Marcellus Williams on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, outside the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Civil rights organizations decried Missouri’s Sept. 24 evening execution of Marcellus Williams, noting that the victim’s family and a prosecuting attorney called for him to be spared the death sentence.

Williams was executed by lethal injection at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He had been charged with the murder of journalist Felicia Gayle Picus, who was found dead in her home of Aug. 11, 1998. Picus was stabbed at least 43 times with one of her home kitchen knives.

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Williams was sentenced to death in 2001. He maintained his innocence throughout his time in prison and in the minutes before he was executed.

Hours earlier, the US Supreme Court denied Williams’ request to halt the execution.

No DNA evidence

The Innocence Project is one of several civil rights organizations which maintains Williams was wrongfully convicted. “No DNA evidence linked him to the crime,” wrote the organization in a statement released shortly after Williams’ death.

“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 a wrongful conviction.”

The Innocence Project alleged that two key eyewitnesses were paid for their testimony. The organization also stated that — despite evidence that Williams was not Picus’ killer — the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and Missouri Governor Mike Parsons pressed for Williams’ execution.

“Mr. Williams’ 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,” wrote the Innocence Project.

NAACP

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund also maintained Williams innocence. “Tonight, our legal system tragically failed Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams for the final time,” the organization posted to X/formerly Twitter Sept. 24 evening. “The state of Missouri executed Mr. Williams in a horrific display of inhumanity, despite compelling evidence of his innocence.”

“Tonight, we mourn his loss and honor his legacy,” wrote the NAACP.

In August, Picus’ husband Dan, a radiologist, told court officials and representatives of state Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office that while he believed Williams was guilty, he did not want to see Williams executed, reported The Intercept.