Clark Found Guilty In Slaying Of Former Broncos CB Williams

By Justin Worsley

Rosalind Williams can now breathe easy. Three years after losing her son, former Denver Broncos Cornerback Darrent Williams, his murderer will now be put to jail.

Suspected gang member, Willie Clark, shot Williams to death in a drive-by shooting around 2 a.m. on New Year's Day in 2007. Clark showed no remorse while the verdict was read. Clark, 26, faced 21 charges, including murder in the first degree, and was found guilty of all of them. On April 30, Clark will begin serving a life sentence.

The court case took two years to develop, mostly due to the fact that a majority of the eye-witnesses were involved in a gang drug ring which was under federal investigation and kept a code of silence about the Williams shooting.

An altercation occurred between Williams as well as several other Broncos members at the Denver night club Safari with members of the Tre-Tre Crips, which Clark is allegedly involved with. The sides had a brief confrontation as the members of the Broncos entered the club and continued in the club itself. According to prosecutors, Williams was acting as a peacemaker between the two warring sides.

At 2 a.m. the Broncos limousine was shot by Clark, using a .40-caliber handgun from an SUV. Williams died in teammate Javon Walkers arms.

In exchange for lighter sentences, several members of the Tre-Tre Crips also testified against Clark, though two declined, fearing for the lives of their families if they decided to testify. Clark refused to testify as well. Defense attorney Darren Cantor claimed Clark was receiving death threats toward him and his family if he had spoken in court.

"This is what this is about," said fellow defense attorney Abraham Hutt. "Willie Clark is a scapegoat."

"Darrent's legacy will live on for all of us in the Broncos organization, and the outstanding work done each day at the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center is a tribute to his impact on his community. Out hearts continue to go out to the Williams' family," said Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center was opened in March 2008 but former teammate Dominique Foxworth. Many Broncos volunteer time at the center, including running back Knowshon Moreno, who currently wears Williams jersey number, 27, in honor of him.