Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2024) – Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) sent a letter to Missouri Governor Mike Parson urging him to grant clemency and halt the execution of Marcellus Williams, scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, despite strong evidence of his innocence.
Convicted in 2001 for the tragic 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle, Williams’ case has faced intense scrutiny due to allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, mishandled evidence, and racially biased jury selection. With concerns raised about Williams’ innocence and the fairness of his trial, there is a pressing call for Governor Mike Parson to commute his sentence and halt the execution to uphold justice and restore faith in the legal system.
“I urge you to grant Mr. William clemency for his wrongful conviction of the 1998 stabbing of Felicia Gayle. By its own admission, the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s office engaged in gross misconduct in the prosecution of Mr. Williams’ case, violating his right to counsel and his right to due process under the Missouri State Constitution and the United States Constitution.” wrote the lawmakers. “Proceeding with the execution of Marcellus Williams would be a grave injustice and would do serious and lasting harm. ”
A copy of the letter can be found HERE.
Representative Bush has continuously urged Governor Parson to use his authority to grant clemency and halt the state-sanctioned executions of David Hosier, Brian Dorsey, Johnny Johnson, Amber McLaughlin, Kevin Johnson and Ernest Johnson.
Since first coming to Congress, Congresswoman Bush has been a national leader in the push for clemency reform and the need to end the death penalty. In February 2021, the Congresswoman urged President Biden to use his pardon power to correct legacies of injustice in the clemency process, including a call to commute the sentences of all on federal death row. In December 2021, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), introduced the Fair and Independent Experts in Clemency (FIX Clemency) Act, historic legislation that works to transform our nation’s broken clemency system and address the growing mass incarceration crisis. She is a proud cosponsor of the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, which would end the use of the death penalty by the federal government.
Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Ranking Member of Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.
