Arkansas death row inmate Marcel Williams executed
GRADY (KATV) — Marcel Williams was the second death row inmate to be executed by the state of Arkansas Monday night.
Williams was put to death by way of lethal injection. The drugs were administered at 10:16 p.m. and Williams was pronounced dead at 10:33 p.m.
Marcel Williams did not have any last words.
Williams was convicted of killing Stacy Rae Errickson, a 23-year-old mother of two, in Jacksonville in 1994.
Errickson's family declined to comment immediately following the execution.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement following the execution of Marcel Williams:
After more than 20 years, justice has prevailed for the family of Stacey Errickson. I reviewed this case thoroughly and determined that clemency should not be granted. I appreciate the patience and long-suffering of the Errickson family through this ordeal. This is a serious and reflective time in our state and it is important for the Errickson family and all Arkansans to know that in this case our laws ended in justice.
The execution was scheduled for 8:15 p.m., but United States District Judge Kristine Baker issued a temporary stay to allow the court to investigate the claims that the previous execution of inmate Jack Jones "appeared to be tortuous and inhuman."
According to Arkansas Department of Correction Spokesman Solomon Graves, when the stay was handed down, Williams was already on the gurney in the death chamber. After the stay was issued, Williams asked to use the bathroom. He was taken to his cell and not brought back into the chamber until the stay was lifted.
The Court denied the emergency motion, and the stay was lifted at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Earlier Monday, both the Supreme Court of the United States and the Arkansas Supreme Court denied all requests for a stay of execution.
The April 24 executions of Jack Jones and Marcel Williams mark the nation's first double execution in more than 16 years. They are the second and third inmates to be executed in Arkansas in less than one week.
Death row inmate Kenneth Williams is scheduled to be executed Thursday, April 27. Inmate Jason McGehee was also scheduled to be put to death Thursday, but the Arkansas Parole Board recommended clemency to the governor, thus starting a 30-day public comment period during which the execution of McGehee cannot proceed.
