Missouri executes Marcellus Williams despite prosecutors’ push to overturn conviction
GuardianSEP 2024
Missouri Executes Marcellus Williams Amid Innocence Claims
Above: A law enforcement officer monitors from atop the Missouri State Capitol building on January 20, 2021 in Jefferson City, Missouri. Image copyright: Michael B. Thomas/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
In further evidence of the US' broken justice system, a potentially innocent man was executed. With both the prosecutor's office and the victim's family requesting that the execution be halted, there is no reason that this should have happened. Faulty DNA evidence and suggestions that racism may have played a part in the jury selection process cast doubts on Williams guilt that should have been explored.
Right narrative
Supporters of Williams are cherry-picking arguments from biased organizations like the Innocence Project. He was convicted of murder after a lengthy legal process, and no credible evidence had overturned his guilt, even after several appeals. The death penalty is a serious topic, but cut-and-dried cases like this shouldn't be thrown into the category of unjust executions.