Missouri governor allows death penalty case to continue against man who cites DNA in innocence claim

Published June 29, 2023 5:53 PM

By SUMMER BALLENTINE
The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A death penalty case will continue against a Missouri man who is citing new DNA evidence in his innocence claim for the stabbing death of a former newspaper reporter. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday ended a stay on the execution of condemned inmate Marcellus Williams. Parson’s predecessor opened an inquiry after DNA raised questions about whether Williams actually killed. Williams was convicted of fatally stabbing former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a 1998 burglary at her suburban St. Louis home. A new execution date for Williams has not been set yet.

Article Topic Follows: AP Missouri

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