U.S. Court Executes African Man

The US state of Missouri executed Marcellus ‘Khaliifah’ Williams (1968-2024) on 24 September, despite mounting evidence casting doubt on his guilt and the victim’s family opposing the death sentence for Williams.

Forensic evidence, including DNA found on the murder weapon, did not match Williams, and the conviction relied on the testimony of incentivised informants, who were promised leniency in their criminal cases. Unreliable informant testimony is a major factor in wrongful convictions, especially in capital cases.

Further, the jury that convicted him was predominantly Caucasian because the prosecutor removed six of seven qualified African jurors during jury selection.