Statement from Catholic Mobilizing Network on the Stay of Execution for Marcellus Williams
Washington, DC - On Tuesday, August 22, 2017 Missouri Governor Eric Greitens stayed the execution of Marcellus Williams and appointed a Gubernatorial Board of Inquiry, including former judges, to look into the case. Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), the national, Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice, is overjoyed by this decision.
Karen Clifton, Executive Director of CMN stated, “Catholic Mobilizing Network rejoices in the good news of the stay of execution for Marcellus Williams. We applaud this decision by Governor Greitens and celebrate this victory for life. In refusing to allow the execution of a likely innocent man, Missouri has demonstrated that life and mercy must take precedence over vengeance.”
Clifton continued, “This action places us one step closer to ending the death penalty in this country. By calling for a special board of inquiry, Governor Greitens calls attention to the need for further consideration and reform of how we approach issues relating to criminal justice, especially the death penalty.”
“We thank in a special way the thousands of Catholics and people of goodwill who raised their voice for life and contacted Governor Greitens to stop the execution of Marcellus Williams. The great work of the Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (MADP), the Missouri Catholic Conference and the many other advocates amplified the call to respect all life and end the use of the death penalty,” Clifton remarked.
Clifton further emphasized the impact of this stay of execution, “Today we witnessed a victory of life over death and restoration over retribution.”
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