Missouri Supreme Court Blocks Williams Execution Agreement

The Missouri Supreme Court has intervened in the case of death row inmate Marcellus Williams, ordering a halt to a recent agreement that would have allowed him to plead guilty to first-degree murder in exchange for a life sentence. Williams, who has consistently proclaimed his innocence in the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, was set for execution on September 24. The court's ruling came after new DNA testing revealed mishandling of evidence, complicating Williams' claim of innocence and prompting a request from St. Louis County prosecutors to vacate his conviction. Instead of allowing the plea, the Supreme Court mandated an evidentiary hearing to examine the facts of the case, which is scheduled for August 28. The Attorney General's office is prepared to present evidence supporting the original conviction, while Williams' legal team continues to advocate for his innocence. The Supreme Court has set a deadline for findings from this hearing by September 13.