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Wednesday, September 25, 2024  
21 Rabi ul Awal 1446  

Last words before Muslim man, Marcellus Williams, was executed go viral

Williams spent more than two decades on death row
Photo via Daily Mail
Photo via Daily Mail

Marcellus Williams, a Muslim man convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle in Missouri, was executed on Tuesday after spending 22 years on death row. His last words are now making rounds on social media.

His execution, the third in Missouri this year, followed years of legal challenges and appeals, including two previous stays of execution.

His last words were posted online, including by US presidential candidate Jill Stein. Williams’ last words were: “All Praise Be To Allah In Every Situation.”

Williams maintained his innocence, citing mishandled DNA evidence and claims of racial bias in jury selection.

  Photo via X
Photo via X

His attorneys argued that the lack of forensic evidence linking him to the crime scene, coupled with the contamination of the murder weapon by a prosecutor who handled it without gloves after initial testing, raised serious questions about his conviction.

Despite these concerns, and the dissenting opinions of three Supreme Court justices who would have granted a stay, the Missouri governor and courts rejected his clemency pleas.

Even the victim’s family supported a life sentence, and the local prosecutor sought to overturn the conviction. While Williams’ son and lawyers witnessed the execution, no members of Gayle’s family were present.

Prominent figures, including Richard Branson, actively campaigned against the execution, highlighting concerns about Williams’ innocence.

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Marcellus Williams