Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran's IRGC spokesperson: Wave 20 of Operation True Promise 3 targeted Ben Gurion Airport, the Zionist entity's biological research center, and support bases and command and control centers of various levels
Israeli media: 15 injuries transferred to hospitals, including two in critical condition
Israeli media: 27 missiles were launched from Iran in two barrages
Israeli army spokesman says another barrage of Iranian missiles was launched toward 'Israel', demands settlers to adhere to instructions
Israeli media: Two people seriously injured by Iranian missiles
Spokesperson for the Israeli Fire and Rescue Authority: A number of buildings were destroyed as a result of a direct hit by Iranian missiles in the coastal area
Sirens sound in Haifa, Tabarayya, and northern occupied Palestine
Israeli media: A new barrage of Iranian missiles targets northern occupied Palestine
Israeli media: At least 3 barrages of missiles were fired and are still being fired toward 'Israel'
Israeli media: More than 20 Iranian missiles are suspected to have made impact in Haifa and the inner coastal area

Missouri executes Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors' objections

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Sep 2024 20:53
2 Min Read

Williams was executed by lethal injection after years of legal battles and widespread calls to overturn his conviction.

Listen
  • x
  • Marcellus Williams, seen here in an undated prison photograph.
    Marcellus Williams, seen here in an undated prison photograph.

Missouri executed 55-year-old Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams on Tuesday, despite strong objections from prosecutors and civil rights advocates who supported his claims of innocence.

Williams was convicted of the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, a former reporter, despite there being no forensic evidence to support the charges.

Neither DNA ties to Williams was found at the crime scene nor the murder weapon, raising serious doubts about his guilt.

Williams was executed by lethal injection after years of legal battles and widespread calls to overturn his conviction.

Despite these doubts, Missouri's new Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey pressed forward with the execution, overruling local prosecutors who sought to have Williams’ conviction overturned.

Even the family of the victim, alongside several jurors, opposed his execution, adding to the controversy.

Marcellus Williams has been executed.

His final statement was made public.

“All Praise Be To Allah In Every Situation!!!” pic.twitter.com/VdMSPLqa4L

— trends (@urwatulwusqauk) September 25, 2024

Williams' defense attorney, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, condemned the execution, stating, "The execution of an innocent person is the most extreme manifestation of Missouri's obsession with 'finality' over truth."

Related News

Iran demands urgent UN Security Council session over US airstrikes

Iran: Minor damage to nuclear sites after US attack, no radiation

Williams' case had previously seen two last-minute halts to his execution in 2015 and 2017 for further DNA testing, which did not link him to the crime.

His attorneys and local prosecutors argued that the mishandling of evidence and racial bias during the trial undermined the case, but these efforts were ultimately rejected by the courts.

Read more: JD Vance pledges death penalty for drug dealers in 2nd Trump Admin.

'Lynching an innocent black man'

The execution has drawn harsh criticism from civil rights leaders, including NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who called it the "lynching of an innocent Black man."

Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush also decried the state's decision and criticized systemic failures in the justice system. 

"We have a moral imperative to abolish this racist and inhumane practice," Bush said.

Williams, who served as an imam during his time in prison, wrote poetry dedicated to various causes, including the martyred children of Gaza.

Rest in Power Marcellus Williams

Palestinian artist: Shirien

Instagram: shirien.creates

Poem by Marcellus dedicated to Palestine. pic.twitter.com/iTzV7fE8kl

— NabeelaAkh (@NabeelaAkh) September 25, 2024

His execution marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over capital punishment in the US.

  • United States
  • Marcellus Williams
  • Missouri
  • death penalty

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran’s Bavar-373 air defense system on display during a military drill (Mehr News Agency)
Politics

Iran intercepts Israeli drones near Tehran, multiple cities

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran warns aid to 'Israel' will be treated as aggression

US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
Politics

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

Ansar Allah supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-US and anti-'Israel' weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US ships in Red Sea will be targeted if US attacks Iran: YAF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS