Judge rejects attempt to free Marcellus Williams, Missouri inmate facing execution

A judge on Thursday declined to vacate the conviction and sentence of Marcellus Williams, a condemned inmate in Missouri whose execution is scheduled for later this month. Williams' case has drawn national attention as he faces the death penalty over the stabbing death of a woman in 1998, despite doubts about DNA evidence on the knife used in the attack and longstanding questions about whether his original trial was fair.

"Every claim of error Williams has asserted on direct appeal, post-conviction review, and habeas review has been rejected by Missouri's courts," wrote St. Louis County Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton. "There is no basis for a court to find that Williams is innocent, and no court has made such a finding. Williams is guilty of first-degree murder, and has been sentenced to death."

Attorneys for Williams, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Missouri Attorney General's Office did not respond to messages left Thursday seeking comment. Williams' lawyers are expected to request clemency from Republican Gov. Mike Parson and could appeal further.