With just hours remaining before the scheduled execution of Marcellus Williams, Howard University School of Law student Brandon Robert Watts is urgently fighting to save the death row inmate’s life. Williams is scheduled for execution on Tuesday.
According to a study, if all death-sentenced defendants remained under sentence of death indefinitely, at least 4.1% would be exonerated. Watts is tirelessly fighting to keep Williams out of that grim percentage. His mission is twofold: to save a man he believes is innocent and to shine a glaring light on the systemic injustices that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
He has launched a nationwide campaign to garner support from students and faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities behind Williams and put pressure on policymakers to prevent his execution.
“Time is running out, and we need people to write letters, sign petitions, and spread the word on social media. Beyond Marcellus’ case, I want people to understand that this is part of a much bigger issue,” said Watts. “The racial biases that lead to cases like his are embedded in the system, and we need to demand real reform to make sure this doesn’t keep happening.”
The Marcellus Williams Case
Marcellus was convicted of murdering Felicia Gayle, a former news reporter who was found stabbed to death in her home in 1998. St. Louis City County sentenced him to death. Watts believes Williams was wrongly convicted at the hands of racial bias impacting multiple parts of the case, including jury selection and the handling of evidence.
Significant evidence points towards Williams’ innocence including 2016 DNA testing that excluded him as the source of male DNA found on the murder weapon. Additionally, the prosecution relied on the testimonies of two incentivized witnesses whose claims were inconsistent and unverifiable.
“The fact that DNA evidence hasn’t been enough to stop his execution shows just how broken the system is,” said Watts. “His case is a reminder that justice isn’t applied equally, and race often determines who gets a fair chance and who doesn’t.”
Mr. Williams has been fighting against execution while maintaining his innocence for years. Following the 2016 DNA discovery that raised doubts about his guilt, he received a stay of execution from then-Governor Eric Greitens. A Board of Inquiry was established to review the case, but in June 2023, Governor Mike Parson dissolved the Board without a report.
Following that, the attorney general sought a new execution date. Williams sued Parson for violating Missouri law, but the Missouri Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit on June 4, 2024, and scheduled his execution.
“With his execution date set for September 24, it’s a race against time to save his life. This case is about more than just Marcellus—it’s a glaring example of how the justice system can fail Black men in particular,” said Watts.
Inspired By Childhood Experiences
Watts says his passion for criminal justice reform stems from his childhood experiences. “My father was incarcerated when I was a kid, and I saw firsthand the impact that has on families. Later, I walked with him through his recovery from drug addiction, which taught me the importance of understanding people’s stories,” he explained.
While juggling the workload of his final year of law school, Watts has dedicated his time to reaching out to student organizations and professors at HBCUs to spread awareness about William’s case. He has held numerous meetings, sent countless emails, and made personal appeals to ensure the collective effort from HBCUs nationwide will gain policymakers’ attention.
“It’s hard to break through when the system seems designed to ignore cases like Marcellus’. But we’re keeping at it, because we believe this fight is too important to give up on,” said Watts.
Powerful is how Watts describes his initiative’s support from students and faculty at Howard University and other HBCUs who have accepted his call to action. “It’s been inspiring to see how everyone has come together to push for justice in Marcellus Williams’ case,” said Watts. “The sense of solidarity and collective action has been a reminder of what we can achieve when we work as a community.”
Continuing His Fight For Justice
As the Missouri Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in Williams’ case on Monday, Watts remains committed to securing justice for one man while also addressing the systemic inequities of the legal landscape.
“It’s shown me that being a lawyer is more than just practicing law—it’s about standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” said Watts. “It’s my belief that every person deserves a fair shot at justice, and Marcellus’ case represents the broader failures of the system that I want to help fix.”
After graduating, he plans to open a law firm that provides quality legal services to Black communities at little to no cost. He aims to “help those who have been historically left behind by the justice system and give them a fair chance at defense.”
