Missouri

Missouri man makes life-or-death effort to prove innocence before execution scheduled for next month

Published

1 year ago

August 21, 2024

Missouri man makes life-or-death effort to prove innocence before execution scheduled for next month

Testimony begins Wednesday in a hearing with life-or-death implications for Missouri inmate Marcellus Williams.

The case before St. Louis County Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton is on a motion filed by Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell seeking to vacate Williams’ 1998 murder conviction. Time is of the essence: Williams is scheduled to be executed Sept. 24, and neither Missouri Gov. Mike Parson nor Attorney General Andrew Bailey has shown any inclination to delay the process.

Williams, 55, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle. He was hours away from execution in August 2017 when then-Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, granted a stay after DNA testing unavailable at the time of the killing showed that DNA on the knife matched someone else, not Williams.

That evidence prompted Bell to reexamine the case.

“This never-before-considered evidence, when paired with the relative paucity of other, credible evidence supporting guilt, as well as additional considerations of ineffective assistance of counsel and racial discrimination in jury selection, casts inexorable doubt on Mr. Williams’s conviction and sentence,” Bell’s motion states.

Williams, who is Black, was convicted and sentenced to death by a jury consisting of 11 white people and one Black person.

Bailey, a Republican, stated in a June court filing that “evidence supporting conviction at trial was overwhelming,” despite the new DNA claims.

A 2021 Missouri law allows prosecuting attorneys to file a motion seeking to vacate a conviction they believe was unjust. The law has resulted in exonerations of three men who spent decades in prison, including Christopher Dunn last month.

Typically, a judge hears a few days of testimony then takes up to two months to weigh the evidence. Hilton won’t have the luxury of time though: Williams’ execution is 34 days away.

The Missouri Supreme Court set the September execution date on June 4, hours after it ruled that Parson, a Republican, was within his rights when he dissolved a board of inquiry convened by Greitens after he stopped the 2017 execution.

The inquiry board, consisting of five retired judges, never issued a ruling or reached a conclusion on whether the new DNA evidence exonerated Williams. Parson dissolved the board in June 2023, saying it was time to “move forward.”

Johnathan Shiflett, spokesperson for Parson, said the governor “will give thoughtful consideration to the question of clemency for Mr. Williams, just as he has for all other capital punishment cases during his tenure, but no decision has been made at this time.” Parson, a former county sheriff, has been governor for 11 executions and never granted clemency.

In addition to Dunn, who spent 34 years behind bars for the death of a 15-year-old St. Louis boy, the Missouri law allowing prosecutors to challenge convictions led to freedom for two other men — Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson. Bailey was not attorney general when Strickland’s case went to a hearing, but his office opposed vacating the convictions of Dunn and Johnson.

Bailey also opposed efforts to overturn the conviction of Sandra Hemme, who spent 43 years in prison for murder, though that case was adjudicated through appeals, not a prosecutor’s motion. A judge ruled in June that Hemme should be freed. Bailey filed multiple appeals to try and keep her behind bars, but Hemme was released in July.

Strickland was freed in 2021 after serving more than 40 years for three killings in Kansas City after a judge ruled he had been wrongfully convicted in 1979. In 2023, a St. Louis judge overturned Johnson’s conviction. He served nearly 28 years for a killing he always said he didn’t commit.

Williams is the first death row inmate whose innocence claim will go before a judge since passage of the 2021 law. He’s getting support from another former condemned inmate. Joseph Amrine spent 17 years on death row before he was freed in 2003 after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that no credible evidence linked him to the killing of another inmate.

“The state has nothing to gain by killing the wrong person,” Amrine said in a statement. “I hope the Attorney General’s office can change their approach and acknowledge there are human beings impacted by their actions.”

Prosecutors at Williams’ trial said he broke into Gayle’s suburban St. Louis home on Aug. 11, 1998, heard water running in the shower, and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husband’s laptop were stolen. Gayle, who was white, was a social worker who previously worked as a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Authorities said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams’ girlfriend asked him why he would wear a jacket on a hot day. The girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later.

Prosecutors also cited testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a St. Louis cell with Williams in 1999 while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it.

Williams’ attorneys responded that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons out for a $10,000 reward.

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Missouri

DraftKings Missouri promo code live: $300 in bonus (win or lose) for Alabama vs. Arizona

Published

11 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

DraftKings Missouri promo code live: 0 in bonus (win or lose) for Alabama vs. Arizona

Missouri’s long-awaited sports betting launch has finally arrived, and DraftKings is kicking things off with one of its most generous new-user deals on the market. To celebrate the state’s debut, DraftKings is offering users the chance to earn $300 in bonus bets after placing a $5 wager. No DraftKings promo code is required.

Arizona is 8-0 and has already beaten Florida, UCLA, UConn and Auburn. As a result, the Wildcats are the No. 1-ranked team in the country. Despite that, they are 1.5-point underdogs when they visit Tuscaloosa to play No. 12 Alabama on Saturday night. Will the Tide hand Arizona its first loss? Or will Alabama be the latest name added to Arizona’s already impressive resume?

DraftKings Missouri promo code at a glance

🏆DraftKings Missouri promo code	No code required
🎁DraftKings Missouri welcome offer for new users	Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets instantly
💲DraftKings Missouri promo code minimum deposit	$5
💲DraftKings Missouri promo code minimum first bet	$5
📋DraftKings Missouri promo code terms and conditions	– Bonus bets are awarded instantly after you bet $5+. This qualifying bet can win or lose. – Bonus credited as 12 $25 bonus bet tokens. – Bonus bet tokens are non-withdrawable and cannot be transferred. – Bonus bet stake removed from potential payout; only the profits are paid out if you win. Advertisement – Bonus bets expire seven days (168 hours) after receipt.
✅Last verified	Dec. 13, 2025

DraftKings Missouri promo code: How to get started betting in Missouri today

Here are the steps that you need to take to score $300 in bonus bets from DraftKings:

Select one of the DraftKings Missouri promo code links or banners on this page.
Click “Sign Up” and complete the registration steps to make an account.
Locate the green “Deposit” button at the top of the DraftKings website or mobile app and fund your new account (minimum $5).
Find a bet that you like, add it to your betslip, select the amount you want to wager (minimum $5) and submit it.
You will instantly receive $300 in bonus bets, win or lose.
Your 12 $25 bonus bet tokens expire seven days (168 hours) after you receive them.

💡Tip: You need to provide some personal information like your name, email, mobile number, birthdate and the last four digits of your Social Security Number during sign-up. This information is totally secure and is used to verify your identity.

How the DraftKings Missouri promo code works

Below, you can check out the most important details of the DraftKings Missouri promo code:

Promo code: No code required, click one of our links to score the bonus
Who is eligible: New customers who are 21+ and located in Missouri
Minimum first deposit: $5
Minimum first bet amount: $5
Minimum odds requirement: None
Bonus bet structure: Issued as 12 $25 bonus bet tokens
When you’ll receive your bonus bets: Instantly after placing a $5 qualifying wager
Expiration of bonus bets: Seven days (168 hours) after they reach your account

Reasons to sign up with the DraftKings Missouri promo

DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the leaders in the sports betting industry, and this is for many reasons.

For starters, their mobile app ranks as arguably the best of its kind for speed, layout and overall experience. The app has user ratings of 4.7/5 and 4.8/5 from the Google Play Store and Apple Store, respectively.

Another reason to sign up with the DraftKings Missouri promo code is, of course, the welcome offer. The “Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets” offer is only for Missouri sports betting participants and is available for a limited time.

After you sign up, you can check out the “Promos” page to see the lineup of ongoing offers. These include a variety of profit boosts, no sweat bets, the new Early Exit promo and others.

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Missouri

Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE: New $365 “America’s Game” bonus in Missouri!

Published

23 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE: New 5 “America’s Game” bonus in Missouri!

As of Saturday, December 13, 2025, Bet365 Sportsbook is firmly established in the Show-Me State, continuing a massive expansion for the global betting giant. To maximize its footprint during this pivotal opening month, Bet365 Missouri has extended its most aggressive welcome promotion in Bowl Season: the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE now unlocks a Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets deal for all eligible Missouri residents.

This enhanced bonus stands as a significant departure from Bet365’s typical national approach. In mature markets such as New Jersey and Ohio, the standard entry offer is generally capped at $150. By utilizing the Bet365 bonus code in Missouri today, new registrants secure an extra $215 in bonus value, cementing this $365 guarantee as one of the premier launch incentives in the United States.

Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE: A New National Benchmark

The Bet365 Bonus Code Missouri’s updated terms and conditions can be viewed here.Bet365

The timing of this rollout is impeccable, aligning perfectly with the most storied rivalry in college football. The Bet365 bonus code framework for Missouri is engineered to supply immediate account liquidity. Unlike deposit matches that demand a high upfront cost, or “safety net” bets that rely on a loss to trigger a refund, the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE ensures the $365 payout happens regardless of whether the qualifying bet wins or loses.

Key Deal Terms:

Bonus Code: SYRACUSE
Offer: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Guaranteed).
Value Differential: +$215 over the standard $150 national promo.
Launch Window: December 2025 (Live Now).

Today’s Top Missouri Betting Opportunity: Army vs. Navy

The activation of the Bet365 bonus code comes just hours before kickoff for “America’s Game.” Missouri bettors can apply their qualifying $10 wager on this afternoon’s service academy clash to instantly trigger the $365 bonus mechanism.

Army vs. Navy: Saturday College Football Spotlight

Teams: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium

Current Betting Odds

Total (Over/Under): 38.5
Moneyline Odds: Army +210, Navy -235
Note: Odds are subject to change.

By using the Bet365 bonus code to place a $10 wager on the Midshipmen cover (-6), the Army upset (+210), or the defensive struggle on the Under (38.5), Missouri accounts will be credited with $365 in bonus bets. This provides a significant war chest for the remainder of the December football schedule.

How to Activate the Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE:

$365 Bet365 Bonus Code Instructions. — Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE unlocks the Missouri sports betting launch bonus when you follow these simple steps.Bet365

With the platform fully operational, claiming this elevated launch bonus requires following specific steps during sign-up. The Bet365 bonus code must be applied as follows:

Application: Enter the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE inside the dedicated field during account creation on the Missouri app or desktop site.
Deposit: Make a minimum initial deposit of $10 to fund the new account.
Qualifying Wager: Place a $10 wager on the Army-Navy game (or any other eligible market).
Distribution: The Bet365 bonus code triggers the release of $365 in bonus bets to the account balance once the wager settles, irrespective of the final score.

Conclusion: Bet365 Missouri Redefines the Opening Month

The arrival of Bet365 in Missouri delivers more than just a new platform; it introduces a market-altering promotional tier. By leveraging the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE during this historic opening month, sports fans guarantee themselves a bonus $215 higher than the national average, ensuring the most profitable start possible to their betting experience in Missouri.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+ only. Must be physically located in MO. T&Cs Apply. In App Only.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

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Missouri

MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a 29-year-old woman after seizing over 200 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.

ALSO READ: Investigation into Missouri kratom retailers expands, says AG

According to the MSHP, troopers stopped a vehicle for a registration violation and following too closely on EB I-70 in Montgomery County, Mo., on Thursday, December 11. Authorities then searched the vehicle, finding 221 pounds of marijuana.

According to an MSHP report, 29-year-old Briana A. Roberts was taken into custody and held in the Montgomery County Jail for 24 hours. She could be charged with trafficking drugs in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, according to the report.

No further information has been released.

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