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

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

7 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 2-7-3

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 3-2-6

Evening Wild: 5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 8-4-4-6

Midday Wild: 6

Evening: 2-7-8-4

Evening Wild: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

08-10-13-39-60, Cash Ball: 01

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Morning: 14

Matinee: 04

Prime Time: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

07-09-12-21-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

The Food Bank, local agencies and schools partner to meet Mid-Missouri needs

Published

19 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

The Food Bank, local agencies and schools partner to meet Mid-Missouri needs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is set to host its 19th annual One for One Holiday Food & Fund Drive on Wednesday. Items gathered will provide food to families in need during the holiday season and beyond.

The Food Bank has more than 145 partner agencies and 200 partner schools that help distribute food in its 32-county service area.

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri serves 32 (dark purple) of Missouri’s 114 counties. [Courtesy: The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri]

In Boone County, more than 30 agencies partner with The Food Bank, including Aging Best, Hogan House, In2Action, Powerhouse, Tiger Pantry, True North, Turning Point and Welcome Home.

In Cole County, The Food Bank has 11 partner agencies, including Building Community Bridges, Catholic Charities, First Christian Church Food Pantry, Rape & Abuse Crisis Services, Salvation Army and the Samaritan Center.

The Food Bank’s interactive map can help people find partner agencies or schools distributing food near them.

The most needed items at the One for One Holiday Drive are canned meat/protein, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups/chilis/stews, boxed meal kits, cereal, peanut butter and pasta, according to The Food Bank’s website.

Food and funds can be donated at two locations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday — the Columbia Mall and Buchheits in Jefferson City. The Food Bank’s purchasing power turns every $25 donated into at least 100 meals.

Firefighters from Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 will volunteer during the One for One drive. The 12-hour event will also have fire engines, music and Santa.

People interested in donating can visit sharefoodbringhope.org for more information.

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Missouri

Bet365 Missouri bonus code: Bet $10, get a $365 bonus for Vikings vs. Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Bet365 Missouri bonus code: Bet , get a 5 bonus for Vikings vs. Cowboys on Sunday Night Football

The NFL Week 15 schedule is almost over, but not before the Dallas Cowboys host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Sports bettors in Missouri can get in on the action with $365 in bonuses when they register with today’s bet365 Missouri bonus code.

While that new-user bonus is strong, we recommend the Missouri sports betting promos below. Click any banner or all of them to claim more than $4,000 in bonuses today.

Dallas struggled early this season, thanks mostly to its leaky defense. The Cowboys have improved on that side of the ball and have won three of their last four. That bounce back has coincided with the Philadelphia Eagles’ slump, giving Dallas hope it can climb all the way to the top of the NFC East and make the playoffs.

The Cowboys are 6.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook on Sunday against the Vikings, who won last week but have only faint playoff hopes.

bet365 Missouri bonus code at a glance

🎁 bet365 bonus code	None
💰 bet365 bonus code details	Bet $10, and get $365 in bonuses
📝 Bet $5, get $365 in bonus bets terms and conditions	A minimum deposit of $10 is required. Bet $10+ and receive a $365 bonus within one hour of wager settlement, win or lose. Bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be withdrawn.
✅ Last verified	Dec. 14, 2025

🎁 bet365 bonus code

None

💰 bet365 bonus code details

Bet $10, and get $365 in bonuses

📝 Bet $5, get $365 in bonus bets terms and conditions

A minimum deposit of $10 is required.

Bet $10+ and receive a $365 bonus within one hour of wager settlement, win or lose.

Bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be withdrawn.

✅ Last verified

Dec. 14, 2025

How to register with the bet365 Missouri bonus code

It does not take long to register for a new account at bet365. Follow the steps below to sign up and claim your guaranteed bonuses in Missouri.

Download the bet365 Sportsbook app.
Fill in the required informational fields to verify your age and identity.
Select your banking method and make a first-time deposit of at least $10.
Bet $10 on tonight’s game between the Vikings and Cowboys or any other sporting event.

You will receive a $365 bonus when your first bet settles, no matter the outcome of your bet. The bonus will be added to your account as a lump sum. You can use the full amount on a single bet or divide it into smaller bets. Edit the amount of bonus bets in your betslip before you confirm a wager.

Use the full amount within seven days of receipt or the leftover portion will expire.

Bet365 bonus code terms and conditions

Only new users are eligible.
Place a first-time deposit of at least $10.
Enter your initial deposit within seven days of establishing the account.
The qualifying wager must be settled within 30 days.
Upon issuance, the bonus bets will be good for seven days.

Bet365 Missouri existing user promotions

Once the welcome bonuses have been used, the door opens to more tempting ongoing offers from bet365. Here are some of the current featured offers for confirmed registered players:

Profit boosts: Receive increased payouts on select markets and wager types.
Early win payout: When the team you bet on establishes a big lead, your wager is graded as a winner. If you bet on Dallas to beat Minnesota, and Dallas builds a 17-point lead, you cash out immediately.

Why our experts like this welcome bonus

Online sportsbook offers often fluctuate, and they don’t always guarantee a bonus for new users. That is not the case with bet365 in Missouri. New users receive the bonus no matter what. That’s impossible to beat.

In addition, bet365 awards more bonuses than industry leaders DraftKings and FanDuel. Both sportsbooks give new users $300 a bonus.

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