Missouri execution controversy

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Missouri carries out the execution of Marcellus Williams, a man convicted of murder in 1998. This despite opposition from the prosecutor of the case, the jury that delivered the verdict, and many others, all citing issues with the evidence. Why didn’t the state delay the execution until these questions were answered?

 

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A press release from the governor of Missouri.
 

Partial transcript

 

 

“Joining me now Geraldo Rivera, who has covered as many high profile cases as anyone and is also an attorney. And Randy Zelin who still believes there was enough evidence to convict. Geraldo what do you make of the decision that they went forward with the execution?”
 
Geraldo Rivera: “I think Dan, Mr. Zelin, that it was totally unnecessary, borderline shameful. What the hell was this about? Normally, it’s beyond a reasonable doubt. I think in a capital case it should be beyond a shadow of a doubt. And here when you have, after all, the prosecutor joining the defense attorney, joining the family of the victim, all say don’t do this. Don’t carry forward this execution. And then the state actually does it in cold blood, I think that this is really beyond the pale. Totally unnecessary as I said, borderline shameful, this is…why do this? Why take this man’s life? Why do what everybody involved asks the courts not to do? When the family of the victim joins the prosecuting attorney, and the original foreperson of the original jury, then what’s this about? A jailhouse confession?”

 

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