Missouri judge rejects innocence claim of Marcellus Williams who faces execution

A judge has declined to vacate the conviction and death sentence of Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams, who is facing execution for killing of a woman in her home in 1998. A St. Louis County circuit judge presided over an August evidentiary hearing challenging Marcellus Williams’ guilt in the stabbing death of social worker Lisha Gayle. But Judge Bruce Hilton refused to block Williams’ lethal injection, which is scheduled for Sept. 24, unless the courts or the governor intervene. A prosecutor requested the evidentiary hearing, citing evidence indicating Williams’ DNA was not on the knife used in the killing. Testing revealed the evidence had been mishandled. Williams’ lawyers can appeal the judge’s decision.