Missouri Executes Marcellus Williams on September 24, 2024

Marcellus Williams, Missouri

Updated: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Marcellus S. Williams was executed by the state of Missouri on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.  He was pronounce dead shortly at 6:10 pm local time, inside the execution chamber at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Corrections Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri.  Fifty-five-year-old Marcellus was executed for the murder Felicia “Lisha” Gayle on August 11, 1998, in University City, Missouri.  The murder was committed while he was robbing her home.  Marcellus has spent the last 23 years on Missouri’s death row.

As a child, Marcellus alleges he was physically and sexually abused by family members.  He also says his family encouraged him into criminal behavior and exposed him to guns, drugs, and alcohol at a young age.  Marcellus later became addicted to drugs and alcohol.  His family was impoverished and dysfunctional.  Marcellus had a lengthy criminal record, including 16 convictions for robbery, burglary, assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, among others.  According to his family, Marcellus was a loving and supportive father to his son and step-daughter.

On August 11, 1998, Marcellus Williams took a bus to University City, Missouri, and began looking for places to burglarize.  Williams noticed the home of Lisha Gayle.  He knocked on the door.  After receiving no answer, Williams broke in.  He heard water running from the bathroom.  Williams grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchen and waited for Lisha to exit the bathroom.

Williams stabbed and cut Lisha 43 times.  Seven of the wounds were fatal.  After killing Lisha, Williams washed his hands and put on his jacket to hide the bloodstains.  He also took Lisha’s purse and her husband’s laptop computer.  Williams then took the bus to return home.

Williams’ girlfriend discovered the stolen items and confronted him about them.  Williams confessed to her what he had done, but she did not go to the police, as Williams threatened her life, her children’s lives, and her mother’s life.

Williams was arrested on unrelated charges on August 31, 1998.  During his incarceration, Williams told his cell-mate about the murder after they saw a news report about it.  Williams told his cell-mate considerable details of the crime.  The cell-mate then went to the police in June 1999, after his release.  He provided previously unreported details of the crime, prompting further police investigation.  Police contacted Williams’ girlfriend, who told police what Williams had told her.  Police discovered several items belonging to Lisha after they searched Williams’ vehicle.  Williams was tried and convicted of Lisha’s murder.

Williams has always insisted that he is innocent of the crime.  Recently, it was revealed that prosecutors described the two witnesses who testified against Williams as “unreliable.”  Additionally, DNA tests on the murder weapon were inconclusive and indicate that it was improperly handled and contaminated.  

 Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Lisha Gayle.  Please pray for strength for the family of Marcellus Williams.