21/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 22/08/2024 04:03
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced new evidence came to light proving his office's assertion that the DNA on the knife in the Marcellus Williams case was a match for a member of law enforcement who had handled the knife during trial. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office wrongfully asserted the DNA evidence would prove Marcellus Williams did not commit the murder because it would be a match for a mystery killer.
"I am proud of how hard we have fought for the rule of law in this case. Throughout all the legal games, the defense created a false narrative of innocence in order to get a convicted murderer off of death row and fulfill their political ends. Because of the defense's failure to do their due diligence by testing the evidence that supposedly proved their point, the victims have been forced to relive their horrific loss for the last six years," said Attorney General Bailey. "The victims in this case deserve better. Missourians deserve better."
Attorney General Bailey concluded, "The juries of the State of Missouri under the Sixth Amendment have a right to participate in the process, and someone needs to assert the jury's determination in the legal process. Too often, people forget about all of the evidence that was used to convict the defendant - the evidence the jury relied on - and the victims. The public has been deceived every step of the way. That is why the truth of this matter must get out."
The new DNA evidence can be viewed here.