This week's hearing in Missouri court on new DNA evidence in death penalty trial

(Jefferson City, MO) – A St. Louis district court is scheduled to hear new DNA evidence this week related to an inmate who could be executed next month.

The case concerns Marcellus Williams, who was convicted in 1998 of stabbing former social worker and newspaper reporter Felisha Gayle to death.

Last January, St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion to overturn Williams' conviction. The motion was made under a 2021 Missouri law that allows prosecutors to seek to overturn a conviction they believe was made in error.

Bell said forensic evidence found at the crime scene did not match Williams' name. Williams has maintained his innocence.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey argued that the evidence presented at trial showed that Williams was guilty of Gayle's murder.

This week's hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., presided over by Judge Bruce Hilton.

Williams is scheduled to be executed on September 24.

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