MWSU students reflect on Marcellus Williams’ execution

By Jazmine Knight

After Tuesday’s execution of Marcellus Williams, a Missouri man who has been in prison for decades after being charged in a 1998 murder, some students at Missouri Western State University shared their thoughts on his death and capital punishment.

Junior Molly Killion and senior Melinda Lopez said their hearts and prayers go out to Williams and his family.

“I think it’s a miscarriage of our justice system,” Killion said. “All of the people involved in the original case have said, ‘Do not execute him.’ The victim’s family has said, ‘We don’t want him to be executed.’”

Lopez said she was surprised to learn that the case stemmed from such a long time ago, in 1998. After reading more into the case, she’s still on the fence about what’s right, but she said she thinks Williams did not deserve to die.

“I don’t think the death penalty should be used anymore,” Lopez said.

As a criminal justice major, Lopez said she can understand how he might feel. She said having so many people immediately blaming you would be hard.

“Honestly, it gets tiring when you’re questioned and questioned and questioned,” she said.

Killion said the lawmakers and officials who allowed the execution to carry on “should be ashamed of themselves.”

But she hopes this situation can encourage others in similar situations.

“I can’t imagine how it would feel to have put in all of that work to try and save a man’s life, and then just, I don’t want to say none of it mattered, because I think it does matter,” she said. “Especially for people who might still be in his situations and who might still need somebody to fight for them.”

Killion and Lopez wish more investigating was done before making such a final decision by ending Williams’ life.

Both were uplifted to see the amount of love and community support that surrounded him.

“My sister was one of them, and I support her 100%,” Lopez said.

“His team was fighting for him. He was fighting for himself,” said Killion.

When it comes to future elections, this situation encouraged both students to do their research before selecting candidates.

“I don’t really want to vote for people like that,” said Lopez.

Killion said she wants people to look closely at each party and examine the things they are offering.

“One side is offering don’t care about justice, even for the family, who’s saying ‘this is not justice?’ Killion said. “One side fought to help give people their civil rights, their rights in a courtroom. And I think people should really consider that.”

While she hopes Williams’ situation sheds light on those in similar situations, she understands that many people will have their own beliefs. However, she said she thinks that no one should be executed unless officials are 100% certain.

“When you’re talking about taking someone’s life, I think the most care, respect and consideration should be put into that decision,” said Killion.

Killion and Lopez both send their condolences to Williams’ family.

“I’d probably say, you know, sorry for everything,” said Lopez.

“I’m just really sorry that the American justice system failed him so badly, because not only did he spend so much time in prison that he shouldn’t have, he is now dead and he shouldn’t be,” said Killion.

News-Press NOW searched for students with opposing viewpoints, but none agreed to be interviewed.