Posted on 09/25/2024 9:27:13 AM PDT by Morgana
The execution of a death row inmate whose murder conviction has been doubted by the prosecutors that convicted him has sparked a wave of outrage across the US.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has been branded 'shameful' and 'racist' and the state and federal justice systems accused of being 'flawed' after Marcellus Williams was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday.
Williams, 55, was sentenced to death over the 1998 killing of Lisha Gayle, who was stabbed repeatedly during a burglary of her suburban St. Louis home.
The St. Louis County prosecutor's office - which originally secured his conviction in 2001 - had filed a motion to vacate the conviction after expressing concerns about the lack of DNA evidence linking Williams to the killing of Gayle. They also argued that Williams, who has insisted he is innocent, did not receive a fair trial.
But Williams' execution moved forward Tuesday after Parson and the state Supreme Court, acting on an appeal from Missouri Attorney General's office, rejected his appeals in quick succession the day before. The US Supreme Court also rejected a last-ditch request to stay his execution.
Gayle's family had also agreed to a deal that would see Williams sentenced to life in prison instead of being executed.
Civil rights campaigners and politicians alike have launched attacks on Parson and the Missouri Supreme Court over Williams' death, with the NAACP even calling the injustice a modern-day 'lynching'.
British billionaire Richard Branson, who bought a full-page advert in the Kansas City Star newspaper decrying a 'devastating miscarriage of justice,' mourned Williams's execution on social media.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I’m opposed to the death penalty primarily based on my Catholic faith. All human life, even those who are criminals are subject to forgiveness and redemption. I do not oppose lengthy prison sentences for murderers, though. I do believe that they can serve God in prison, if they desire.
No one here supports the death penalty wrongly applied.
Obviously Jesus did not commit any felonies let alone any crime against any just law at all.
The Old Testament law commanded the death penalty for various acts: murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), bestiality (Exodus 22:19), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), being a false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:5), prostitution and rape (Deuteronomy 22:24), and several other crimes. The apostle Paul definitely recognized the power of the government to institute capital punishment where appropriate (Romans 13:1-7).
I'm in favor of just punishment. That means there must be honesty in the prosecutors, integrity in the courts, and wisdom in the legislators. As much as that is lacking in our current system... along with noted examples of abuse... I am skeptical of its proper application these days.
The death penalty is very effective - it's just that government cannot be trusted with it. When administered correctly - by the intended victim during the commission of a crime - it provides a very valuable deterrent effect.
I agree with you.
Sometimes the courts seem so obtuse to the people arguing before them. No, not every case needs to be re-tried. But when the prosecution shows up and says, “Maybe we did this guy wrong” I think it warrants examination.
I am not sure if the courts did that, or if they just blew it off. I also don’t understand by the governor didn’t hold up the process for a review.
Forensic evidence is compelling. In some cases, it slams the door shut on the defense. We should be looking at old cases and updating the forensics to see if they hold up. (Or point in another direction.)
Personally I think warehousing this convicted felon for 23 years at the taxpayer’s expense is 23 years to long. Something about the grantee of swift justice being abused.
I almost felt sorry for what was about to happen to that cop at the end of that scene.
Almost
Marcellus Williams killed Felicia Gayle Picus because he hated Whites.
After a shameful delay of years, finally justice was served with execution of Williams.
RIP?
Opus?
I heard Marcellus was studying to find a cure for cancer.
I believe it was the detectives who contaminated the evidence by picking the weapon up without gloves.
I am all for putting down a predator on society. Society does not have an obligation to jail, house, and feed a predator at our expense.
https://stlcopa.stlouiscountymo.gov/prosecutor-wesley-bell/
The same Wesley Bell that primaried Squad Member Corie Bush.
His bio sure doesn’t read like a prosecutor...
How many of Branson’s relatives got the stabbing that this man handed out???
It might not deter them. But it would sure make sure they dont do it twice.
Name five unambiguously innocent people executed in the last 20 years.
And just because it is listed on some anti-death penalty website doesn’t make it true.
“What does Marcellus Wallace look like?”
I’m for retaining Capital Punishment, and I’m for keeping it EXTREMELY difficult for the government to actually accomplish.
“Safe, Legal and Rare.”
0% Recidivism Rate.
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