Chicken Wings & Tots: Marcellus Williams’ Last Meal and Reflections on the Death Penalty

The complexities of justice alongside flavors that remind us of the privilege of life

Fried Chicken from my cookbook, photo for Sandra Villavicencio

In the wake of Marcellus Williams' execution by the state of Missouri, I’ve found myself grappling with a mix of horror and resignation about our society. His last meal—a plate of chicken wings and tater tots—highlights a humanity overshadowed by the brutal reality of capital punishment. This simple meal, if I may assume, reflects a longing for connection and comfort that resonates in his final moments and ripples out to places like Lebanon, Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and Ukraine. In each of these regions, lives are marked by violence and suffering, emphasizing that the quest for dignity and compassion is our universal struggle. Just as Williams sought solace in familiar flavors, people enduring violence and genocide yearn for a meal to ease their malnourished, anxious bellies, a moment of mercy amidst terror and chaos.

The moral implications of state-sanctioned death should haunt us—invite us to rethink the values we uphold as a society. If we can offer a last meal, we can also choose to preserve life.

Serving food in this context serves as a poignant reminder of our capacity for compassion. Last meals carry a heavy weight when it comes to the death penalty. They offer a brief connection to life’s simple comforts, a final indulgence that reminds us of our shared humanity. (Although Texas abolished the Last Meal in 2011) For Marcellus Williams, choosing chicken wings—creates a striking contrast to the somber reality of his execution. When someone picks their last meal, it’s usually a deeply personal choice. It might reflect their favorite flavors or evoke memories of home. Chicken wings, typically shared among friends and family, symbolize comfort and connection. Even in the darkest moments, we crave those familiar tastes that remind us of joy and togetherness and highlights the importance of dignity in our shared humanity. It prompts us to consider what it means to value life, even for those who have made mistakes. Reflecting on Williams' last meal, I think about our own beliefs and the choices that lead to such tragedies.

A Last Meal from Henry Hargreaves’ ‘No Seconds’ series

The case of Marcellus Williams

Despite heartfelt calls for clemency from many, including the family of the victim, Felicia Gayle, whose tragic murder in 1998 led to Marcellus Williams’ conviction, the prosecutor of the case, Wesley Bellformer as well as his dedicated lawyers—Williams was executed by lethal injection on September 24, 2024, at the Missouri state prison in Bonne Terre. For decades, Williams maintained his innocence, having been convicted in 2001 for Gayle’s murder. His appeals brought to light racial bias in jury selection and the DNA evidence that allegedly did not link him to the crime. Yet, efforts came to a halt due to the clemency rejection from Republican Governor Mike Parson, the Missouri Supreme Court, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Williams' case highlights the ethical dilemmas inherent in capital punishment but also I hope compels us to confront the profound injustices that persist within our system—issues of systemic racism and systemic failures that affect countless lives, some of whom that receive death for just marijuana. As we reflect on his experience and his life, I’m reminded of what is at stake for the human race and the urgent need for compassion in the face of such harsh realities.

“Disparities in the makeup of the death row population are clear: The death row population is over 41% Black, even though Black people make up about 13% of the U.S. population [and commit crimes at the same rate as other races] Prison Policy Initiative, 2016.”

Correlation does not mean causation. We only have statistics on arrests and criminal charges. But what is common knowledge is that Black people are more likely to be convicted and accused of crimes they do not commit—7.5 times more likely, to be exact. These numbers illustrates the deep-rooted undeniable biases within our criminal justice system, where the likelihood of receiving a death sentence is significantly higher for Black, Latino and Indigenous defendants compared to their white counterparts, despite similar rates amongst races in crimes. This is something many of us are familiar with in the criminal justice and cannabis sectors.

The role of mitigation in capital punishment

My ex-husband is a mitigation specialist who advocates for justice in criminal cases, particularly focusing on understanding the lives of individuals of Mexican nationals—accused of committing crimes in the U.S. His work involves exploring personal histories, family dynamics, and social circumstances to help mitigate death penalty sentences—sometimes even removing it from their sentence entirely. This deep commitment to justice and humanity initially drew me to him, and over the years, I discovered my own interest in this complex theme of life and justice intersecting with my own 20-year career in weed.

Similarly the other lawyers and Marcellus Williams’s legal team mitigated and advocated for him tirelessly. Through their efforts and with the support of the Midwest Innocence Project, they meticulously examined the evidence and highlighted systemic flaws in Williams's trial, including constitutional violations and racial biases that plagued his conviction and the discrepancies on the DNA found at the crime scene. According to Equal Justice Initiative,

“a lot of physical evidence was collected at the crime scene—including the murder weapon (a kitchen knife), bloody shoe-prints, fingerprints, and hairs on the victim's t-shirt, hands, and the floor, did not match her or her husband—and none of it could be tied to Mr. Williams, prosecutor Wesley Bellformer, wrote.”

Despite this, Republican Gov. Mike Parson still denied clemency as did the Missouri Supreme Court who declined to grant a stay of execution (which temporarily suspends the execution of a court judgment). Their lack of empathy gives us a critical lens through which we can view stories like Williams', emphasizing the potential for redemption and the necessity of understanding the sticky factors that shape individual lives. As we reflect on the case of Marcellus Williams and the ongoing issues surrounding justice, I’d like to think that his case along with many other’s, is an opportunity to recognize how these intersecting systems of oppression play out in the lives it irrevocably alters. The lives it destroys and the lives it takes.

The failures in our global judicial system, punitive judgement, and the death penalty itself embodies a finality that leaves no room for error—even in a system we know is rife with imperfections—the potential for irreversible mistakes looms extremely large. I hope that this tragic reality demands our attention and reflection. I know it does for me.

Sifting through the complexities of justice and the weight of our choices as a society, I can’t help but be pulled toward the flavors that remind me I’m alive. Marcellus Williams’ last meal resonates deeply—it prompts me to reflect on how we define justice and the condition of being human, emphasizing our urgent need for compassion and understanding, especially when facing grave moral dilemmas. The recipe for my spicy honey garlic fried chicken wings is tasty, sure, but it serves to symbolizes connection; the warmth of shared moments, and it serves to celebrate the humanity it represents in all of us.

The Recipe —

Spicy Honey Garlic Fried Chicken Wings

Yields: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 30 mins, Cook Time: 25 minutes

What you need:

• 2 lbs chicken wings, legs, thighs or breasts [Pescatarians, use white fish | Plant-based, try cauliflower or zucchini strips]

• 1 cup all-purpose wheat, tapioca, corn or coconut flour

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• Oil for frying

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup honey *optional infused honey*

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

What to do:

1. Marinate Chicken:

   • In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add the chicken wings and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight for more flavor).

2. Make Sauce:

   • In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.

   • Heat over medium-low, stirring until the sauce is well mixed and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Prep for Frying:

   • Remove the wings from the marinade and let any excess liquid drip off. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

   • Dredge the wings in the flour mixture until well coated, shaking off any excess.

4. Fry:

   • Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).

   • Fry the wings in batches for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

   • Drain the wings on paper towels to remove excess oil.

5. *optional* Toss in Sauce:

   • In a large bowl, add the fried wings and pour the sauce over them. Toss until fully coated.

6. Serve:

   • Transfer the wings to a serving platter and garnish with herbs or sesame seeds with a side of air fried, baked, or deep friend tater tots.