RESOLUTION OF THE MISSOURI STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NAACP
REGARDING THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN MISSOURI

Whereas, Missouri is actively engaged in the execution of people convicted and sentenced to death; and

Whereas, the recent execution of Marcellus Khaliifah Williams marked the 100th execution since the US Supreme Court case requiring the use of lethal injection in 1976; and

Whereas, individuals and organizations across Missouri have been unsuccessful in attempts to obtain clemency from the current Governor; and

Whereas, even after receiving letters from Corrections Officers calling for clemency in the case of Brian Dorsey, the Governor refused to grant it; and

Whereas, the informant testimony in the cases of Leonard Raheem Taylor and Marcellus Khaliifah Williams was incentivized and not well corroborated; and

Whereas, there are significant concerns over the jury selection process that excluded all but one Black person during the initial trial of Marcellus Khaliifah Williams; and

Whereas, the evidence that would have proven the innocence of Marcellus Khaliifah Williams was not properly preserved and therefore could no longer be used in court to exonerate him; and

Whereas, Amber McLaughlin was sentenced to death by a judge after a jury did not; and

Whereas, the National NAACP reaffirmed its support of abolishing the death penalty across the United States and called for racial equity throughout the criminal justice system as recently as 2022.

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Missouri NAACP urges any Governor unwilling to grant clemency attend in person any execution they are allowing to go forward; and

Be it further resolved, that the Missouri NAACP supports legislation that would increase transparency around paid informant testimony, enshrine anti-discrimination rules for jury selection in statute and court rule, require the indefinite preservation of all evidence related to cases involving charges of first or second degree murder, and prevent a single judge from issuing a death sentence; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Missouri NAACP joins the National NAACP in supporting the abolition of the death penalty and calling for racial equity in the courts.