Murder of Felicia Gayle: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|1998 murder in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.}} |
{{Short description|1998 murder in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.}} |
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'''Felicia Gayle Picus''' (known as Lisha) was a ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' reporter who was found stabbed to death in her [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]] home. |
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==Murder== |
==Murder== |
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Gayle, 42 years old at the time, was murdered during a burglary in her gated community |
Gayle, 42 years old at the time, was murdered during a burglary in her home in a gated community in the [[University City, Missouri|University City]] suburb of St Louis, Missouri, on August 11, 1998.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 23, 2017 |title=Marcellus Williams faces execution despite new evidence |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/marcellus-williams-faces-execution-evidence-170820052647111.html |first=Yarno |last=Ritzen |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> She was stabbed between 10 times and 43 times with a butcher's knife.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 23, 1998|title=A Deeply Felt Loss Shows Some Things Cannot Be Rebuilt |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-08-23/business/9808220233_1_stabbed-police-voyager |first=Steve |last=Kerch |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref><ref name="inquisitr">{{cite web|date=January 21, 2005|title=Execution Set For St. Louis Man Who Fatally Stabbed Woman 43 Times |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1775625/execution-set-for-st-louis-man-who-fatally-stabbed-woman-43-times/ |first=Angelica N. |last=Sumter |publisher=Inquisitr |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> |
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==Investigation and trial== |
==Investigation and trial== |
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Police arrested Marcellus Williams (born December 30, 1968)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb/|title=Missouri Department Of Corrections Offender Search|website=web.mo.gov|access-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> |
St. Louis County Police arrested Marcellus Williams (born December 30, 1968)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb/|title=Missouri Department Of Corrections Offender Search|website=web.mo.gov|access-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> in 1999, based on his purported [[jailhouse confession]] to fellow inmate Henry Cole. In addition, his former girlfriend Lara Asaro gave testimony against him. The two informants came forward after the police offered money for information.<ref name="vacate24"/> <ref>{{cite web|date=August 20, 2017|OpEd : title=Stop the execution of Marcellus Williams |url=http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/stop-the-execution-of-marcellus-williams/article_f2788740-6f60-58a3-b50c-7d3dffd70e96.html |first=Jeffrey |last=Mittman |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> Because both of these individuals had other cases that were pending, they had incentive to provide information to police to help them get relief.<ref name="vacate24"/> |
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| ⚫ | During the trial, the judge refused to allow testing of some of the DNA evidence found at the scene. Despite the lack of other physical evidence, Williams was convicted of Gayle's murder. He was sentenced to death on August 27, 2001,<ref>{{cite news|last=Lhotka|first=William C.|title=Killer of former reporter is condemned to death|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84689677/killer-of-former-reporter-is-condemned/|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=August 28, 2001|access-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> by [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]] Circuit Judge Emmett M. O’Brien.<ref name="slpd">{{cite web|date=August 18, 2017|title=Death row inmate asks U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution for former P-D reporter's murder|url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/death-row-inmate-asks-u-s-supreme-court-to-stop/article_a9715d6f-c333-584d-838d-04b093218699.html|first=Jeremy|last=Kohler|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|access-date=August 23, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525061105/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/death-row-inmate-asks-u-s-supreme-court-to-stop/article_a9715d6f-c333-584d-838d-04b093218699.html|archivedate=May 25, 2018}}</ref> |
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No physical evidence connects Williams to the murder, although the police found some of Gayle's possessions, including her husband's laptop, in the car Williams drove that day.<ref name="inquisitr" /> In December <!--year? -->, DNA testing results cast fresh doubt on the conviction. On August 15, 2017, the [[Supreme Court of Missouri]] summarily denied him a new execution stay, despite recently obtained results of that testing that support his innocence claim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Missouri Court Denies Condemned Prisoner Stay of Execution, Review of Case Despite Exonerating DNA Evidence |url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/6843 |publisher=Death Penalty Information Center |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 16, 2017|title=Marcellus Williams Faces Execution Despite Doubts about Conviction |url=https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/marcellus-williams-faces-execution-despite-doubts-about-conviction/ |publisher=Amnesty International USA |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> |
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Williams has been held on [[death row]] at [[Potosi Correctional Center]]. He has always maintained his innocence. He was scheduled to be executed by [[lethal injection]] in 2015. |
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| ⚫ | Williams was sentenced to death on August 27, 2001,<ref>{{cite news|last=Lhotka|first=William C.|title=Killer of former reporter is condemned to death|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84689677/killer-of-former-reporter-is-condemned/|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=August 28, 2001|access-date=January 1, 2021}}</ref> by [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]] Circuit Judge Emmett M. O’Brien |
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His case was appealed and the execution was postponed to allow DNA testing of evidence from the scene. This found a male profile from DNA on the knife that did not match that of Williams.<ref name="vacate24">{{cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/after-attorney-generals-request-for-execution-date-st-louis-county-prosecutor-files-motion-to-vacate-marcellus-williams-death-sentence |title=After Attorney General’s Request for Execution Date, St. Louis County Prosecutor Files Motion to Vacate Marcellus Williams’ Death Sentence|author= Innocence Project, Missouri |publisher=Death Penalty Information Center |date= 01 February 2024|access-date= 28 March 2024}</ref> |
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He was scheduled again to be executed on August 22, 2017.<ref name="slpd" /> Questions continued to be raised, and a last-minute [[stay of execution]] was issued by Governor [[Eric Greitens]]. |
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| ⚫ | The Board had hearings in August 2018. Governor [[Mike Parson]] was to received the Board's conclusion, and make his decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/williams-death-penalty-review-panel-hears-new-evidence#stream/0|title = Williams death penalty review panel hears new evidence|date = 22 August 2018}}</ref> As of September 2021, the Board were still looking into new findings. |
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| ⚫ | The governor initiated a Board of Inquiry to examine the new DNA evidence in the case.<ref>{{cite web||title=Marcellus Williams: Missouri governor stays execution |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41017985 |publisher=BBC |date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> The Board was headed by [[Carol E. Jackson]] and consists of five retired judges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/missouri-governor-names-panel-examine-new-dna-evidence-marcellus-williams-case|title = Missouri governor names panel to examine new DNA evidence in Marcellus Williams' case|date = 12 September 2017}}</ref> It has subpoenaed both prosecution and defense.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://criminaljusticereformjournal.com/2018/04/26/marcellus-williams-board-of-inquiry-set-to-meet-with-state-and-defence-attorneys-in-june/|title=Marcellus Williams: Board of Inquiry Set to Meet with State and Defence Attorneys in June|date=26 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/marcellus-williams-death-row-future-unclear/|title = After governor's resignation, fate of Missouri man on death row in doubt|website = [[CBS News]]| date=14 June 2018 }}</ref> The Board was also to meet with the state and defense attorneys in June 2018. Greitens resigned as governor in summer of 2018. |
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| ⚫ | The Board had hearings in August 2018. Governor [[Mike Parson]] was to received the Board's conclusion, and make his decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/williams-death-penalty-review-panel-hears-new-evidence#stream/0|title = Williams death penalty review panel hears new evidence|date = 22 August 2018}}</ref> As of September 2021, the Board were still looking into new findings. |
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==2024 Motion to vacate death sentence== |
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On January 26, 2024, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney [[Wesley Bell]] filed a motion in the St. Louis County Circuit Court, asking the Court to vacate Marcellus Williams’ death sentence. A 2021 Missouri law allows a prosecutor to intervene where there is information suggesting a convicted person may be innocent. He was concerned about the DNA evidence, potential "ineffective assistance of counsel", apparent bias in jury selection, and potential weakness of the police investigation. |
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State Attorney General [[Andrew Bailey (politician)|Andrew Bailey]] had asked the state Supreme Court to set a date for Williams' execution. Bell asked the Court for a hearing to consider the new evidence and other aspects of the investigation and trial.<ref name="vacate24"/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 02:04, 29 March 2024
b
Murder
Gayle, 42 years old at the time, was murdered during a burglary in her home in a gated community in the University City suburb of St Louis, Missouri, on August 11, 1998.[1] She was stabbed between 10 times and 43 times with a butcher's knife.[2][3]
Investigation and trial
St. Louis County Police arrested Marcellus Williams (born December 30, 1968)[4] in 1999, based on his purported jailhouse confession to fellow inmate Henry Cole. In addition, his former girlfriend Lara Asaro gave testimony against him. The two informants came forward after the police offered money for information.[5] [6] Because both of these individuals had other cases that were pending, they had incentive to provide information to police to help them get relief.[5]
During the trial, the judge refused to allow testing of some of the DNA evidence found at the scene. Despite the lack of other physical evidence, Williams was convicted of Gayle's murder. He was sentenced to death on August 27, 2001,[7] by St. Louis County Circuit Judge Emmett M. O’Brien.[8]
Williams has been held on death row at Potosi Correctional Center. He has always maintained his innocence. He was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in 2015.
His case was appealed and the execution was postponed to allow DNA testing of evidence from the scene. This found a male profile from DNA on the knife that did not match that of Williams.[5]
He was scheduled again to be executed on August 22, 2017.[8] Questions continued to be raised, and a last-minute stay of execution was issued by Governor Eric Greitens.
The governor initiated a Board of Inquiry to examine the new DNA evidence in the case.[9] The Board was headed by Carol E. Jackson and consists of five retired judges.[10] It has subpoenaed both prosecution and defense.[11][12] The Board was also to meet with the state and defense attorneys in June 2018. Greitens resigned as governor in summer of 2018.
The Board had hearings in August 2018. Governor Mike Parson was to received the Board's conclusion, and make his decision.[13] As of September 2021, the Board were still looking into new findings.
2024 Motion to vacate death sentence
On January 26, 2024, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in the St. Louis County Circuit Court, asking the Court to vacate Marcellus Williams’ death sentence. A 2021 Missouri law allows a prosecutor to intervene where there is information suggesting a convicted person may be innocent. He was concerned about the DNA evidence, potential "ineffective assistance of counsel", apparent bias in jury selection, and potential weakness of the police investigation.
State Attorney General Andrew Bailey had asked the state Supreme Court to set a date for Williams' execution. Bell asked the Court for a hearing to consider the new evidence and other aspects of the investigation and trial.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Ritzen, Yarno (August 23, 2017). "Marcellus Williams faces execution despite new evidence". Al Jazeera. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Kerch, Steve (August 23, 1998). "A Deeply Felt Loss Shows Some Things Cannot Be Rebuilt". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Sumter, Angelica N. (January 21, 2005). "Execution Set For St. Louis Man Who Fatally Stabbed Woman 43 Times". Inquisitr. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "Missouri Department Of Corrections Offender Search". web.mo.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ a b c d {{cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/after-attorney-generals-request-for-execution-date-st-louis-county-prosecutor-files-motion-to-vacate-marcellus-williams-death-sentence |title=After Attorney General’s Request for Execution Date, St. Louis County Prosecutor Files Motion to Vacate Marcellus Williams’ Death Sentence|author= Innocence Project, Missouri |publisher=Death Penalty Information Center |date= 01 February 2024|access-date= 28 March 2024}
- ^ Mittman, Jeffrey (August 20, 2017). St. Louis Post-Dispatch http://www.stltoday.com/opinion/columnists/stop-the-execution-of-marcellus-williams/article_f2788740-6f60-58a3-b50c-7d3dffd70e96.html. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|OpEd : title=ignored (help) - ^ Lhotka, William C. (August 28, 2001). "Killer of former reporter is condemned to death". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ a b Kohler, Jeremy (August 18, 2017). "Death row inmate asks U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution for former P-D reporter's murder". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "Marcellus Williams: Missouri governor stays execution". BBC. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Missouri governor names panel to examine new DNA evidence in Marcellus Williams' case". 12 September 2017.
- ^ "Marcellus Williams: Board of Inquiry Set to Meet with State and Defence Attorneys in June". 26 April 2018.
- ^ "After governor's resignation, fate of Missouri man on death row in doubt". CBS News. 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Williams death penalty review panel hears new evidence". 22 August 2018.
