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Thread: Marcus Bernard Williams - Alabama

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    Marcus Bernard Williams - Alabama




    Summary of Offense:

    Marcus Bernard Williams was sentenced to death in 1999 for the 1996 rape and strangulation of Melanie Dawn Rowell.

    On November 6th, 1996, the defendant had been out with friends, drinking and smoking marijuana. Upon returning home that evening, the defendant's thoughts turned to a young female neighbor of his, Melanie Dawn Rowell, and his desire to have sexual relations with her.

    At approximately 1:00 a.m. that night, Williams attempted to enter Rowell's back door, but the door was locked. He then noticed a kitchen window beside the door. He removed the screen from the window and found that the window was not locked. It was through that window that Williams obtained entrance to the apartment.

    Williams proceeded through the kitchen to the stairs leading to the upstairs bedroom. Before exiting the kitchen, Williams removed a knife from a set of knives in a holder on a kitchen countertop. Part way up the stairs, knife in hand, Williams removed his pants. Upon reaching the upstairs area, Williams crossed over a ‘baby gate’ which protected Rowell's two children, ages 15 months and 2 years, from the stairs. Williams looked into the children's room and found them both asleep.

    Williams then entered the room of Melanie Rowell. He climbed in bed on top of her. When he began removing Rowell's clothes, a struggle ensued. Rowell fought Williams and began screaming despite [his] being armed with a knife. Williams placed his hand over her mouth to silence her and once again attempted to remove her clothes. As Rowell continued to struggle, Williams placed his hands around her neck. Eventually Rowell ceased to struggle as Williams continued to strangle her. When she was motionless, Williams proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her for 15 to 20 minutes. Prior to ejaculation, Williams pulled out and ejaculated on Rowell's stomach. There was a small cut inflicted upon Rowell's throat that was determined to be post-mortem. The cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation.

    As he left Rowell's apartment, Williams took her purse. According to his statement, he threw the purse and the knife into a dumpster outside the apartment, although a search of the dumpster the next day by law enforcement failed to find either.

  2. #2
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On July 6, 2007, Williams filed a habeas petition in Federal District Court.

    http://dockets.justia.com/docket/ala...v01276/119597/

  3. #3
    Senior Member CnCP Legend JLR's Avatar
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    On April 12, 2012, Williams' habeas petition was DENIED in Federal District Court.

    http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal...1276/119597/27

    Williams filed an appeal in the Eleventh Circuit on September 25, 2012.

    http://dockets.justia.com/docket/cir...ca11/12-14937/

  4. #4
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    Today the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit REMANDED Williams' case to the District Court to determine whether he is entitled to an evidentiary hearing and to reconsider his failure-to-investigate claims de novo.

    http://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opini.../201214937.pdf

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On April 17, 2019, Williams' habeas petition was DENIED on remand by Chief Judge Bowdre (G.W. Bush).

    https://docs.justia.com/cases/federa...1276/119597/94

    Marcus Bernard Williams' death sentence has been reversed. Unless the state of Alabama decides to initiate proceedings to retry Marcus' sentence within 90 days, he will be re-sentenced to life without parole.

    https://documents.deathpenaltyinfo.o...2021-09-23.pdf

  6. #6
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mastro Titta's Avatar
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    Marcus Williams is back on Alabama Death Row, as shown in the ADOC roster updated on 03/05/2022.

    http://www.doc.state.al.us/deathrow

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    On August 9, 2022, oral argument will be heard in the State of Alabama's appeal before the Eleventh Circuit.

    https://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/sites/...9_Williams.pdf

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    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    The 11th Circuit has denied Alabama’s appeal and affirmed the district court’s granting of habeas relief to Williams. As such, Williams’ death sentence remains vacated.

    https://law.justia.com/cases/federal...023-07-11.html
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

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    Administrator Moh's Avatar
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    The panel was made up of Judges Wilson (Clinton), Grant (Trump) and Lagoa (Trump). Judge Grant dissented.

  10. #10
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Alabama filed a petition for writ of certiorari to SCOTUS to reinstate Williams’ death sentence.

    Both Alabama and Williams filed their replies today.

    https://www.supremecourt.gov/search....ic/23-682.html
    Thank you for the adventure - Axol

    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

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