TLDR there was a ton of evidence at the scene, including footprints, blood, and DNA on the murder weapon.
None of the physical evidence matched Williams, not the footprints, not the blood, not the DNA on the murder weapon, but because it had not been handled properly, the exonerating evidence was ruled inadmissible.
Witnesses also recanted their testimony that Williams had confessed to them, and the prosecution admitted to striking jurors because they were black. There was zero physical evidence linking Williams to the scene, and zero credible witnesses claiming to have even second-hand knowledge of the crime.
The victim’s family and the prosecution had both called for a stay of execution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Felicia_Gayle if you’re interested.
TLDR there was a ton of evidence at the scene, including footprints, blood, and DNA on the murder weapon.
None of the physical evidence matched Williams, not the footprints, not the blood, not the DNA on the murder weapon, but because it had not been handled properly, the exonerating evidence was ruled inadmissible.
Witnesses also recanted their testimony that Williams had confessed to them, and the prosecution admitted to striking jurors because they were black. There was zero physical evidence linking Williams to the scene, and zero credible witnesses claiming to have even second-hand knowledge of the crime.
The victim’s family and the prosecution had both called for a stay of execution.