Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams
Marcellus Williams, a Black Muslim man, was executed by lethal injection at a Missouri prison on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, just after 6 p.m. His imam was with him, and he reportedly made a final statement: "All Praise Be To Allah In Every Situation!!!" His attorneys argued that he did not receive a fair trial and pointed to new DNA testing, and they asked the state Supreme Court to halt the execution over alleged procedural errors, which the court rejected. Catholic groups and others protested the execution, Gov. Mike Parson declined to grant clemency, and the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last plea from his attorneys.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His attorneys argued he did not receive a fair trial and cited new DNA testing, and Catholic groups and others protested the execution.
Reported by: Missouri state execution (the agency that held him); news reporting of the execution.