- United States
- Letter
New trial needed for Marcellus Williams, wrongfully convicted
To: Pres. Biden
From: A constituent in Cadillac, MI
September 21
Marcellus Williams has spent over two decades on Missouri's death row despite significant evidence of his potential innocence. His conviction was based solely on the testimony of two highly unreliable witnesses who were incentivized through promises of leniency and reward money. Contrastingly, the forensic evidence from the crime scene, including fingerprints, footprints, hair, and DNA on the murder weapon, does not implicate Williams whatsoever. Even more concerning, the prosecution engaged in racially discriminatory jury selection, striking 6 of 7 qualified Black prospective jurors. This injustice cannot stand. A new, unbiased trial with a racially representative jury and the ability to present the exculpatory forensic evidence is imperative to ensure the truth emerges and justice is served for Marcellus Williams and the victim's family who oppose his execution. Every person deserves a fair trial, and the system failed Williams gravely in this regard. I urge you to take action to secure Williams a new trial where all evidence can be fairly examined before this irreversible miscarriage of justice proceeds further.