Missouri execution plans move forward despite prosecutor trying to overturn murder conviction

By The Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday ruled that execution plans for Marcellus Williams will move forward, even as a prosecutor works to overturn his 1998 murder conviction. Judges on Friday decided against halting Williams’ execution despite a St. Louis County court hearing set for Aug. 21 to determine whether he is innocent. Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her suburban St. Louis home. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in January to vacate Williams’ conviction. Bell cited new DNA evidence and said he believed Williams was not involved in Gayle’s death. A 2021 Missouri law allows prosecuting attorneys to file a motion to vacate a conviction if they believe the inmate could be innocent or was otherwise erroneously convicted. The filing prompts a hearing before a judge. In the meantime, Williams had asked the Supreme Court to stay his execution pending the outcome of the August hearing. He faces execution Sept. 24. Judges& ruled& that they do not have the procedural authority to withdraw the execution order at this time. Williams’ attorney Tricia Bushnell in a...