Marcellus Williams Enters Alford Plea to Avoid Execution

Missouri death row inmate Marcellus Williams entered an Alford plea, agreeing to life imprisonment without parole while maintaining his innocence, to avoid execution. This plea, which acknowledges the prosecution's evidence while not admitting guilt, comes after nearly two decades of legal battles over his 1998 conviction for the murder of Lisha Gayle. New DNA evidence, unavailable during the original trial, indicated that the DNA on the murder weapon did not match Williams, raising significant doubts about his conviction. Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell supported the plea, citing the lack of credible evidence and racial discrimination in the jury selection. However, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey opposed the plea, arguing the evidence against Williams was overwhelming, and appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court. The court ruled that the plea needs further review, prompting an evidentiary hearing to be held before September 13 to reassess the case.