Missouri Supreme Court Orders Hearing for Williams' Innocence Claim

A judge has rejected a motion by Sergio Sayles to prevent the death penalty in his ongoing murder case for the 2023 homicide of Jasmine King, citing concerns over Missouri's death penalty scheme, which his defense argues is racially biased and lacks clear standards. Meanwhile, the Missouri Supreme Court has intervened in the case of Marcellus Williams, blocking an agreement that would have halted his execution scheduled for next month and instead ordering a hearing on his claim of innocence. Williams, convicted of the 1998 murder of social worker Lisha Gayle, had sought to enter an Alford plea, maintaining his innocence while acknowledging sufficient evidence for conviction. However, recent DNA testing revealed mishandling of evidence that could affect his case, prompting a legal dispute. The Missouri Attorney General has appealed the circuit court's prior approval of a plea deal, arguing that a capital murder sentence cannot be overridden by a lower court. Both cases highlight ongoing debates over the death penalty and wrongful convictions in Missouri.