Exonerees Call on Missouri Republican Attorney General to Stop Fighting Innocence Claims
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — In a stirring display of advocacy and desperation, exonerees, civil rights activists, and supporters gathered in the Missouri State Capitol on Thursday, vocally urging Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey to withdraw his opposition against claims of innocence, particularly regarding the case of Marcellus Williams. Scheduled for execution on September 24, Williams' fate hangs precariously in the balance as the local prosecutor seeks to vacate the conviction stemming from a 1998 murder case marred by questionable evidence.
The backdrop of this urgent call for justice is the impending hearing set for August 21 at the St. Louis County Court, where the judge will deliberate on the potential innocence of Williams, who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Lisha Gayle during a robbery in her suburban St. Louis home. Exonerees, including Ray Krone, co-founder of the advocacy group Witness to Innocence, lament the Attorney General's vehement resistance to reviewing new evidence, emphasizing the need for compassionate discretion based on the merits of Williams' argument.
Krone implored Bailey to "reverse course" and embrace a justice system that supports individuals with profound claims of innocence. Holding signs reading, “You can release an innocent man from prison, but you can't release him from the grave,” the advocates poignantly highlighted the high stakes inherent in the conviction and potential execution of an innocent person.
“We are calling upon our leaders to uphold their moral obligation to ensure that justice prevails,” Krone emphasized. His sentiment was echoed by Herman Lindsey, the executive director of Witness to Innocence, who declared that true leadership necessitates a readiness to accept accountability and act in the interest of justice, rather than political expediency. “A true leader will not take pride in the wrongful execution of an innocent individual as a means to gain votes.”
Despite the mounting pressure, Bailey defended his stance, asserting that it is crucial to respect the decisions rendered by juries. “The justice system must honor the finality of the jury's determination,” he asserted. He contended that often, victims and the evidence that informed the original conviction get overshadowed in discussions around wrongful convictions. “We must not forget the voices of the victims,” Bailey noted, outlining his obligation to consider all facets of the case, including the original evidence that led to Williams' conviction.
In a bid for justice, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion back in January to vacate Williams' murder conviction, spotlighting newly emerged DNA evidence that points to his innocence. This legal step was made possible by a 2021 Missouri law that allows prosecuting attorneys to challenge wrongful convictions when they believe an inmate may be innocent.
Williams, who has spent more than 18 years behind bars, came perilously close to execution in August 2017, only to receive a reprieve when modern DNA testing revealed that genetic material found on the weapon matched another individual entirely, distancing him from the crime. The evidence that has come to light has set Williams apart from a string of exonerees who have similarly faced opposition from Bailey’s office.
In 2023, Bailey also strongly opposed the release of Lamar Johnson, a man who spent nearly three decades imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Although a St. Louis judge ultimately overturned Johnson’s conviction, Bailey's resistance raised eyebrows among advocates, who worry about the implications of such decisions.
Moreover, in June, Bailey fought against the release of Sandra Hemme, 64, who had her conviction overturned on the grounds of "actual innocence." Christopher Dunn, who spent 34 years wrongfully incarcerated, likewise faced Bailey's pushback before being released earlier this week. These cases reflect a troubling pattern for many advocates who view the Attorney General's actions as politically motivated maneuvers designed to present a tough-on-crime image in a competitive upcoming primary election.
As tensions continue to mount, the coalition of exonerees and advocates maintain their fervent appeal for justice for Marcellus Williams and others in similar predicaments. They strive to remind officials, and the public at large, of the paramount importance of ensuring that the innocent are protected, and that the justice system never again risks the irrevocable consequence of executing an innocent man.