Innocence Blog
February 13, 2007
Willie “Pete” Williams Exonerated in Georgia
Since his release last month from a Georgia prison, Willie “Pete” Williams has been in legal limbo. He was awaiting a court date to find out whether he would be retried for the crime, or fully exonerated because DNA testing has shown that someone else contributed the biological evidence in the rape for which Williams was convicted more than 21 years ago.
That court date came today. At 10:30 this morning, Williams was officially exonerated when the judge granted Williams’ motion and prosecutors stated that they would drop the charges against him. He is the 195th person exonerated by DNA evidence in the United States.
Read the news story here. (Atlanta Journal Constitution, 02/13/07)
VIDEO: Watch a local news report on this case here. (Atlanta Channel 11, 02/13/07)
Read more about Willie “Pete” Williams, the 195th person exonerated through DNA testing.
With Williams today were three Georgia men who have been proven innocent by DNA testing: Calvin Johnson, who now serves on the Innocence Project’s Board of Directors, Robert Clark and Clarence Harrison.
(left to right - Johnson, Clark, Williams and Harrison)
Our new e-mail newsletter is out!
Today we sent the first issue of our new e-newsletter, The Innocence Project Online.
View today's issue here, or click to sign up for future issues and breaking news updates.
Innocence Project receives human rights award
The Innocence Project will be honored this year with the Bill Graham Award from the Rex Foundation, which was created by members of the Grateful Dead. The award recognizes groups making a difference in fields involving human rights. The award includes a $10,000 grant to the Innocence Project, which will be donated to our special Exoneree Fund, which helps our clients with basic needs like clothing, food and housing after they’ve been released.
- More information on the Rex Foundation and the Bill Graham Award.
- Click here to donate to the Innocence Project.
PREVIOUS DATE