Public Project
Vigil for Marcellus Williams
Summary
Photos from a vigil in Madison, WI, held for Marcellus Williams, a black man who was executed despite new evidence that may have proven his innocence.
UW-Madison
Madison, WI
9/27/2024
The state of Missouri executed Marcellus Williams on September 24, 2024. Mr. Williams was convicted in 2001 for the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, who was stabbed 43 times during a burglary at her home in St. Louis, MS. Despite no DNA evidence linking Williams to the crime, the state convicted Marcellus on the testimony of two witnesses whose credibility was sketchy and were motivated by the reward money being offered.
In 2015, the knife used in the killing of Ms. Gayle was allowed to be tested for DNA. This prompted a stay of execution in 2017, with a board of retired judges appointed to investigate the case. However, the Republican governor of Missouri disbanded the panel in 2023 before a ruling could be made. Despite a DNA test showing the knife contained no blood, fibers, or skin related to Williams, the Republican attorney general in Missouri objected to further investigation and to allowing Williams's sentence to be changed to life in prison.
Tonight's vigil for Marcellus Williams brought together approximately 200 people from the UW-Madison and city of Madison communities to honor a wrongfully executed person: In the eyes of many, the state of Missouri has "lynched" another innocent black man.
Williams became religious in prison. Williams was an imam for other Muslim prisoners and was called "Khaliifah", which means leader in Arabic. Marcellus Williams's last statement read, “All Praise Be To Allah In Every Situation!!!”
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