Thaindian News

Mar 12 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Three years ago, on New Years Day, Denver Broncos corner-back, Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive by shooting that was perpetrated by Tre Tre Crips gang-member Willie Clark. That began a very long road for Williams’ family and friends. It would take more than three years for justice to be handed down.

Willie Clark was convicted of first degree murder on Thursday. His other charges were assault and attempted murder for the other two people who were injured in the drive-by shooting. The tragedy occurred barely 12 hours after the last game of the 2006 football season of the Denver Broncos. In may of 2008, a letter was found in which Willie Clark confessed to the shooting. In the letter he says that he was worried that someone may have seen him shoot “D-Will” and start talking to the police about it. The letter was the first really clear piece of evidence that was known about by the public, which linked the gang member to the New Year’s Day of 07 shooting.That letter, along with testimony from other gang members was a huge break in the case, and led to his conviction yesterday. He faces sentencing on April 30th.

Willie’s surviving family include two young children, and son and a daughter, his girlfriend and his mother. His mother, Rosiland Williams was silent throughout the whole trial, until then end. She waited patiently for three years to hear the verdict handed down to the man who so senselessly took the life of her child. These were her words once she finally spoke out: “It has been three years, three months and 11 days, but today ultimately shows that no one wins. My family didn’t win. The Clark family didn’t win,” she said. “I lost my son, my only son, and his children lost their father. This doesn’t bring him back. But I just want something has to happen in society for us to stop gang violence. It just has to stop.” You can see more of her reaction here.