Latest: Missouri high court denies request to stop execution

ST. LOUIS – The Latest on a Missouri death row inmate’s attempt to halt his execution (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

The Missouri Supreme Court has denied a motion from attorneys seeking to halt the execution of a man scheduled to die next week but did not explain its decision.

Attorneys for Marcellus Williams had asked the state Supreme Court and Gov. Eric Greitens to stop the execution, citing DNA evidence that they say exonerates him.

The 48-year-old Williams is scheduled to die by injection Aug. 22 for fatally stabbing former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a robbery at her University City home in 1998.

Attorneys for Williams said Tuesday that testing conducted in December shows DNA found on the knife does not match Williams.

After the court’s ruling Tuesday, Gipson told St. Louis Public Radio that he was surprised by the quick decision and planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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3:30 p.m.

Attorneys for a Missouri death row inmate are asking the state Supreme Court and Gov. Eric Greitens to halt the prisoner’s execution scheduled for next week, citing DNA evidence that they say exonerates him.

Marcellus Williams is scheduled to die by injection Aug. 22 for fatally stabbing former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a 1998 burglary at her home in University City.

Attorneys for Williams said Tuesday that testing conducted in December shows DNA found on the knife does not match Williams.

Loree Anne Paradise, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Josh Hawley, says the office remains confident that Williams is guilty based on other evidence in the case. Greitens’ spokesman, Parker Briden, declined comment, saying only that the claim will need further review.