[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----MISSOURI

[Rick Halperin]

August 22

MISSOURI:

Statement of Robert Dunham, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information 
Center, on Marcellus
Williams’ Stay of Execution


Governor Greitens’ decision to stay Marcellus Williams’ execution is an 
important step in ensuring
that Missouri does not execute an innocent man. The Governor did the right 
thing in creating a Board
of Inquiry to look into Mr. Williams’ case. Executing Mr. Williams without the 
courts or any agency
of the executive branch meaningfully considering his evidence of innocence 
would have been
intolerable and indefensible.

It is important to note, however, that Mr. Williams’ petitions for review are 
still pending in the
U.S. Supreme Court and still present some very important issues. Irrespective 
of whatever the Board
of Inquiry ultimately recommends, the Court should still review Williams’ case 
and should clearly
declare that the constitution guarantees that death-row prisoners who present 
substantial evidence
of their innocence be given a meaningful opportunity to prove it in court.

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(source: The Death Penalty Information Center (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org) is a 
national nonprofit organization that for a quarter century has provided 
information and analysis on issues concerning capital
punishment. DPIC prepares in-depth reports and issue analyses, conducts 
briefings for the media, and serves as a resource to those working on death 
penalty issues)