Missouri execution of man convicted of 1998 murder to proceed

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

AN EXECUTION OF A MAN FOUND GULITY OF A 1998 MURDER IS SET TO PROCEED THIS EVENING IN MISSOURI– AFTER THE MISSOURI SUPREME COURT AND THE GOVERNOR REJECTED REQUESTS TO CANCEL THE SCHEDULED LETHAL INJECTION.

A JURY CONVICTED MARCELLUS WILLIAMS OF THE STABBING DEATH OF LISHA GAYLE – A SOCIAL WORKER AND FORMER NEWSPAPER REPORTER – INSIDE HER SUBURBAN ST. LOUIS HOME.

WHILE WILLIAMS HAS ASSERTED HIS INNOCENCE.  HIS LAWYERS ARGUE THE STATE SUPREME COURT SHOULD HALT THE PROCEEDINGS DUE TO ALLEGED PROCEDURAL ERRORS IN JURY SELECTION AND ALLEGED MISHANDLING OF THE MURDER WEAPON BY THE PROSECUTION.  THE COURT REJECTING THOSE ARGUMENTS.

MISSOURI GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON ALSO REJECTING A CLEMENCY REQUEST TO SWITCH THE SENTENCE TO LIFE IN PRISON.

WILLIAMS’ LAWYERS STILL HAVE AN APPEAL BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

AS OF NOW THOUGH — THE EXECUTION — THE THIRD IN THE STATE THIS YEAR — IS SET FOR 6 P.M. CENTRAL TIME.