Missouri Supreme Court will soon hear new DNA evidence in Marcellus Williams death row case

ST. LOUIS – Marcellus Williams will return to court soon in a pivotal hearing that could determine his fate. Williams was convicted and sentenced to death in the 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle, a former social worker and St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter.

The Missouri Supreme Court scheduled William’s execution for Sept. 24, despite a hearing on Aug. 21 for new DNA evidence that could prove his innocence. The activist group Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, led by advocates like Michelle Smith, is now fighting to stop it.

“As the test he did in 2015 and 2016, he conclusively said it denied Marcellus’ DNA, then that is not something that aligns with the state’s position, right? So, there is something they are trying to downplay and trying to keep out of court,” Smith said. “Thankfully, within the process with the St. Louis County Prosecutor and Marcellus’ legal team, they have been able to secure a court date.”

Williams has spent 23 years on death row, proclaiming his innocence. A motion filed to overturn the conviction by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell says the forensic evidence found at the crime scene, including fingerprints, footprints, and DNA on the murder weapon, does not match Williams.

The motion continues that the conviction was based on the testimony of two witnesses, both believed to have been incentivized to testify.

“There has been adequate time to do testing on different evidence and to make sure that their case is solid. So, I really have hope at this time that something positive will come out of this, either exoneration or a new trial,” Smith said.

Bell filed the motion in January 2024. However, Attorney General Andrew Bailey continues to push for the execution, disregarding the new evidence.

“With the prosecutor being on the side of justice right now—even though, like you said, the last 30 years have been different—in the last couple of years, we have seen the prosecutors in St. Louis City and Kansas City have success with getting people exonerated,” Smith said.

We have reached out to Attorney General Andrew Bailey, but are still waiting for a response.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell’s Office stated they are waiting to be heard by the court before addressing this matter publicly. The upcoming hearing on Aug. 21 will see Bell and Bailey’s offices present their cases before the court.

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