Marcellus Williams was executed in Missouri yesterday. For those unfamiliar with the story, Williams was convicted in 2001 for a murder for which he said he was innocent. The current St Louis prosecuting attorney sought to have Williams death sentence vacated on grounds of potential "ineffective assistance of counsel", apparent bias in jury selection, and potential weakness of the police investigation. He asked the Court for a hearing to consider the new evidence and other aspects of the investigation and trial." The victim's family also thought Williams should not be executed, given doubts about Williams' guilt. Yet, multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States denied to stay the execution, and the governor of Missouri refused clemency.
I don't know of the religious leanings of the various judges who denied the stay of execution; but the person with the final earthly authority over Williams' life, the Governor of Missouri, Mike Parsons is a professing Christian.
As I was thinking about Marellus this morning, the verse Micah 6:8 came to mind:
He has told you, O man, what is good;And what does the Lord require of youBut to do justice, to love mercy,And to walk humbly with your God?
In fact, some of the themes of the book of Micah are ones of judgement and forgiveness, and the accountability of leaders for their injustice.
This post is not meant to provoke a discussion on opposition or support of the death penalty in general. This addresses one case, one person - Marcellus Williams, and how his treatment by leaders was not in accordance with this Scripture.
It seems the judges and justices who opposed the stay of execution, and Governor Mike Parson in particular did not heed God's instruction "He has told you, O man, what is good...". Micah made a pretty direct statement! Everyone had the same information - the questionable evidence, the prosecutor's concerns regarding the original case, Felicia Gayle's family's doubts; yet, they still proceeded with the execution. They did not do what was required of them. Their decison was not merciful, and while I cannot peer in to their hearts, I do not think they demonstrated humility. There did not seem to be any question in their minds that the original verdict could be wrong.
More importantly, justice was not served for Marcellus; and definietely not for Felicia Gayle or her family who have to live with the thought Felicia's killer is still free.
Judges and jurors have a huge burden, especially in death penalty cases. They literally hold life and death in their hands drafting opinions or completing juror ballots. It is not something I would ever want to face; these people deserve our prayers for wisdom. But beyond wisdom, they need humility. The jurors in the original case did their jobs based on the evidence they were presented. But in subsequent appeals, judges had many opportunites and much time to reevaluate the original case and review new evidence but it seems humility never entered the picture. They seemed to just rubber stamp the prior conviction. Certainly it is a serious matter to overturn a conviction, but when the prosecutor and the victim's family support commutation of the sentence, that should be strongly considered.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson had more time than anyone else to consider the details of the case. And as a professing Chrisitan he had the Holy Spirit to advise him. He still came to a concusion that lacked humilty, mercy, and justice.
Micah had stern warning for the leaders of Israel that they risked God ignoring them if they ignored justice and mercy. While Governor Parson is not a leader of Israel, he is a Christian leader, and I believe Christians are held to a higher moral standard. Micah says God requires justice, mercy, and humility of Believers. Certainly, there is grace for our failures, but grace also enables us to do the right thing.
Despite the grace of God, the legal system and the State of Missouri failed Marcellus Williams and Felicia Gayle. May God have mercy on their souls that they may realize their error and seek His forgiveness.
