The unfortunate case of Marcellus “Khalifah” Williams has proven yet again how disappointing the American justice system is. It also brings into question the intention and morality of the judicial branch. In 1998, Williams was charged with the murder of news journalist Felicia Gayle and was officially convicted in 2001. He received the death penalty, the most severe sentence permissible under a court of law. For the 23 years that followed, his legal representation and citizens who supported his release fought for a change in verdict.
The controversies surrounding the legitimacy of his guilt mainly revolve around the lack of forensic information. Williams’ legal team utilized this argument to prove his innocence, yet it was never delved into by prosecution.
Time and time again the stark racial disparity in not only the percentage of incarcerated individuals but in death penalty convictions is made evident. “Black and Hispanic people represent 31% of the U.S. population, but 53% of death row inmates—41.9% and 11.3% respectively.” Since its conception, the death penalty has continued to be ridiculously disproportionate in its application. It calls into question if it is justifiable to risk potential wrongful convictions in an oppressive society ingrained with systemic bias. To ignore the race of both the victim and the convict is to ignore history’s long standing bigotry concerning capital punishment. Williams was a Black man and Gayle a white woman, the context of their demographic is important when examining the treatment of this case.
The prosecution retracted their decision due to DNA evidence surfacing later as proof that Williams could not have killed Gayle. This motion was presented to the Supreme Court and was denied. New forensic evidence, relatives of the victim agreeing with changing the sentence, and the original prosecutor Bob McCulloch in the case fighting for his release , yet he was not afforded the sympathy of truth and justice. Unfortunately, on Sept. 24, Williams was executed.
Williams’ case will forever impact public opinion on the death penalty. Although the fight for his freedom tragically failed, the people who support this cause should emphasize the message of judicial reform. The death penalty should continue to be prevalent in political conversation and the decision to sentence someone with even a shadow of a possibility of innocence is vile and inhumane. This and history’s “mistakes” should be reason enough to call for its abolition.
