The Case of Marcellus Williams: Islamic Law, Homicide and the Presumption of Innocence

Ridwan Olamilekan MUSTAPHA

Islam places a high regard on the sanctity of human life and warns sternly against unjustly taking another’s life. The Qur’an equates taking a life unjustly to taking the lives of the entire human race and preserving a life to protecting all of humanity. Even in the context of sacrificial slaughter for religious rites, Islam mandates mercy. This is because one of the core principles that Islam seeks to protect, according to the Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah(objectives of Islamic law), is the soul. This article examines the case of Marcellus “Khalifah” Williams, an Imam at Missouri’s Potosi Correctional Center, who was convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter and social worker. It also explores briefly how Islam treats murder cases from the Quran and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Who Was Marcellus “Khalifah” Williams?

Marcellus Khalifah Williams was a Black American Muslim who converted to Islam while in prison. Born on December 30, 1968, in South Bend, Indiana, he moved with his mother and two brothers to St. Louis when he was around five years old. Williams later became a father and married a single mother with a daughter.

Wrongful Conviction and Time on Death Row

In 2001, Williams was convicted of the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle, a former newspaper reporter and social worker, who was found stabbed to death in her home. Prosecutors argued that Williams broke into her home on August 11, 1998, and stabbed her with a large butcher knife. Despite being spared from execution in 2015 and 2017, his conviction remained, and he spent over 20 years on death row, consistently maintaining his innocence.

While in prison, Williams embraced Islam, studying the religion and writing poetry. According to The Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization advocating for those it believes to be wrongly convicted, Williams served as the Imam for Muslim inmates at Potosi Correctional Center. He was known as “Khalifah,” meaning “leader” in Arabic. His legal team argued that his faith became central to his identity, and he expressed regret for not discovering it earlier in life.

On September 24, 2024, Williams was executed by lethal injection at a prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri, despite lingering doubts about his guilt. His legal team argued that his DNA was not found on the murder weapon and that his trial was unfair due to the exclusion of Black jurors. Tests also revealed traces of DNA from a prosecutor and investigator who handled the knife without gloves. In his final handwritten statement, Williams declared, “All praise be to Allah in every situation.”

Faith and Leadership in Prison

Williams served as a respected Imam and leader in the prison community, offering spiritual counsel to inmates who sought solace in his words. His role extended beyond religious duties, as he fostered brotherhood and encouraged others to pursue personal and spiritual growth. He was remembered as a kind and thoughtful man, known for his deeply evocative poetry and his dedication to his family and community. Despite yearning to return home, he worked hard to overcome the anger, frustration, and fear associated with his wrongful conviction, channeling his energy into his faith and finding meaning through Islam.

Murder Case in Islam

Islam regards murder as one of the gravest offences against humanity, considering human life sacred. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said that on the Day of Judgment, Allah’s first act will be to punish those guilty of murder by condemning them to Hell. During his final pilgrimage, the Prophet also emphasized that the sanctity of human life, property, and honor is as sacred as the holy city of Makkah and the day of Arafah. Throughout history, murder has been universally condemned and punishable under all legal systems, from ancient times to the present. Allah says:

“But whoever kills a believer intentionally—his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally. Allah has become angry with him, cursed him, and prepared for him a great punishment.”

According to the majority of Islamic jurists, homicide in Islamic criminal law is classified into five categories:

How should Marcellus "Khalifah" Williams be assessed under Islamic law? Although he was charged with premeditated murder, the prosecution failed to present clear evidence during the trial. Years later, DNA testing confirmed his innocence. The case took on a new dimension when the victim's family requested its dismissal. In Islamic law, if the family of the deceased forgives the accused and waives their right to retribution (qisas), the case can indeed be dropped. Thus, Williams' wrongful conviction, coupled with the family's request, highlights the significance of such appeals within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence.

In Islamic law, such a case could indeed be dismissed, as the Qur'an prescribes two potential responses to deliberate homicide: execution (qisas) or the payment of blood money (diyat). While diyat is typically reserved for cases of quasi-intentional homicide, it can also apply in cases of deliberate homicide if the victim’s family chooses to forgo qisas. The Prophet Muhammad said: "If a relative of anyone is killed or wounded, they may choose one of three options: retaliation, forgiveness, or compensation. However, if they demand more than these, they should be restrained, and anyone who exceeds these limits will face severe punishment" (Sunan Abu Dawud). This demonstrates that Islamic criminal law grants the victim's family the right to seek retribution or offer forgiveness, promoting peace and social harmony.

Additionally, Islamic law upholds the universal principle of the presumption of innocence, emphasizing that "it is better to let the guilty go free than to wrongly convict an innocent person." This reinforces the idea that justice in Islam is rooted in fairness and mercy.

Conclusion

Williams’ execution has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that the available evidence did not justify such a punishment. Some believe that racial bias and Williams’ involvement in Islamic da’wah, his reformative influence on fellow prisoners, and his support for Palestine contributed to the Supreme Court’s insistence on carrying out the sentence. These factors suggest that personal prejudices may have influenced the outcome. In contrast, Islamic Shariah law is impartial and just, free from personal animosities or biases. Unlike man-made laws, Shariah upholds fairness without tribal or group loyalties. It emphasizes the protection of life, honor, property, and societal order, with strict punishments for serious offences such as murder, hirabah (terror), robbery, and other crimes.