Poetry lovers join forces to support the rehabilitation of Marcellus Williams

Those who know Marcellus Williams know that he was an avid poet who spent much of his time behind bars searching for faith and writing. On Tuesday night, poetry lovers honored Williams ahead of Wednesday's court hearing that will determine whether he should be acquitted.

If words have power, poet Dacia Polk, better known as InnerGy, hopes her words will serve as catalysts for change.

“Not just to get rid of that trauma, but to heal,” she said. “This can be an opportunity for so many others, and it doesn't hit you until it hits you.”

Those calling for justice have come together at Java in The Grove to unite with one voice. The spoken word event Word Up takes place every Tuesday night, but the latest event is dedicated to one man: Marcellus Williams.

“Over the years we have expanded on some of his poems… We put together a little booklet with about 10 of his poems,” said Michelle “ML” Smith of the Missouri Justice Coalition.

On Wednesday, a judge could decide the fate of Williams, who has been on death row for decades.

Williams is scheduled to be executed on September 24. He is convicted of the 1998 murder of former Post-Dispatch reporter Felicia Gayle. St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell is trying to overturn the conviction, arguing that DNA evidence does not link him to the crime.

For this reason, these poetry lovers band together while clinging to the hope that the judge will side with the prosecutor.

“We have had some successes in our state's wrongful conviction courts recently, and I am confident in those successes,” Smith added.

“Perhaps poetry even gave him hope. I really believe that he deserves to be able to use the same thing that kept him sane at this time when he is in this situation,” Polk said.

Wednesday's hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in Clayton.