More Charges For Suspect In Darrent Williams Shooting

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 3:57 AM MST

The story comes from ESPN via the Associated Press

DENVER -- Police say the man accused in the shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams faces an additional charge for allegedly making a knife out of a plastic spoon.

Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough says jail deputies found the weapon in Willie D. Clark's maximum-security cell in the Denver jail during a search for a missing piece of metal.

Clark is being held without bail.

He faces murder charges in the 2007 New Year's Day drive-by slaying of Williams, and in the 2006 shooting death of Kalonniann Clark, a witness in an unrelated drug case.

Clark now faces a charge of introducing contraband.

This is an interesting development. Having worked in corrections before, I can tell you that a contraband charge (even for a weapon) is often handled in-house with an administrative hearing. The result of the hearing typically further restricts the inmate, and the record is forwarded with the inmate when he transfers to prison (which can lead to more restrictions). But in this case, the issue is also going to go external (to a court).

What makes this interesting is what we can speculate on, based on the news.

Given his gang affiliation status, his two murder chargers, and the fact that he made a "shank", he is likely classified as a restricted housing inmate.
He is also likely getting no breaks from the prosecution. While one could speculate that this is another charge that could be used as a bargaining chip, my read is that this guy has been uncooperative during the process, and no deals have been on the table yet. His behavior is not the behaviour of a guy expecting to beat a case. He will lose "good time" for a contraband charge.
Despite being in a restricted setting within the jail's system, he either feels threatened (most likely), or has a vendetta against another inmate. Either way, the appearance is that he is not expecting to be released anytime soon. Perhaps his peers are Broncos fans. : )

Hats off to the jail deputies for finding the shank, and perhaps saving a life, not to mention adding to this dirt bag's prison time.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Thank you HT!

I am glad these scumbags are getting their just due. The fact that he had to make a shank tells me it is not safe for him in jail. He must think his life is in danger. GOOD! I have many more words to use that cannot be repeated on this family oriented fan site, but just know that behind this keyboard I am muttering several things about this low life that I cannot repeat here.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
Chiefs, Raiders, what’s the difference? It’s hard to see in the basement! - hoosierteacher 12/4/08

by Tim Lynch on Dec 11, 2008 7:46 AM MST reply actions

Remember...

Corrections officers risk their lives to protect inmates from one another. I’d rather that this guy stay in solitary and rot, than to have a weapon in the facility that can keep an officer from going home. Also keep in mind that he is a gang affiliate, so he may be the aggressor here. Either way, defusing the situation by finding the shank goes a long way towards defusing a bad situation, and any bad situation in a jail (or prison) setting endangers the good guys that have an obligation to move if when someone is attacked. (Corrections officers don’t carry sidearms near the inmate population. They almost always have to disarm an armed inmate with CS spray or nothing at all).

I hear you though. I’m mad as heck. The guy is dirt (whether involved in the Williams case or not, though he likely is). I don’t feel for him at all. I’m just relieved that the jail staff found the thing, and relieved that a prosecutor with good sense is willing to put up charges.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 10:06 AM MST up reply actions

I agree...

I watched a show once where a former inmate showed the cameras how guys made shanks…pretty creative I must say, but I can’t see how people can argue that many of these hardened criminals can ever be reformed….

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
Chiefs, Raiders, what’s the difference? It’s hard to see in the basement! - hoosierteacher 12/4/08

by Tim Lynch on Dec 11, 2008 10:18 AM MST up reply actions

I agree.

Some folks have a theological perspective that anyone can be redeemed. I don’t buy it. My theological perspective and my personal experience tells me that there is such a thing as pure evil, and a pure hatred of what is good. While anyone can sincerely desire salvation, I believe that some people will never want it (faith) or will not feel called (grace), depending on if you are a modern armenianist or a classical calvinist.

I’m not going so far as to say this particular criminal is beyond hope. But our recidivism rates demonstrate time and again that most “bad guys” don’t choose to change. I would prefer we give someone a few chances, then lock them up for good. I deal with very evil people, and most of them have been locked up (get ready for this) dozens of times. Our revolving door system sounds nice in ivory tower academia, but the practical effect victimizes innocent people. I think we can mantain the rights of defendents, while bringing down the hammer on people who are found guilty multiple times.

Sorry for the rant.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 2:14 PM MST up reply actions

This is good

I hope they prosecutor asks for the death penalty.
My buddy works as a correctional deputy and I hear all sorts of stories what these guys do to protect the inmates and corrections staff. These losers who are in jail do deserve any sympathy IMO. I respect what the deps do every single day. I have real strong opinions on certain types of felons and IMO a majority are beyond rehabilition, especially when its banger going up on murder charges. I hope these guys get the needle

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Dec 11, 2008 11:24 PM MST up reply actions

Another charge - glad to hear it!

The more, the merrier! :)

Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy

by AZDynamics on Dec 11, 2008 12:09 PM MST reply actions

Amen.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 2:17 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the update HT

This has been going on for a long time and I am glad it is finally being resolved. Like Zappa, I can’t say some of my feelings here. Justice is finally being served.

The fact that the shank is being charged outside of the prison is surprising. No deals from the prosecution, give this guy everything he deserves.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 7

by weazel on Dec 11, 2008 12:11 PM MST reply actions

I imagine the prosecutors are Denver fans too!

But on a more serious note, I think they have a guy who is a gang affiliate, accused of two seperate murders, and has fashioned a weapon in a corrections setting. Aside from the football angle (where I’m joking), I think the justice system realizes they have a very, bad guy on their hands.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 2:17 PM MST up reply actions

Anytime you have someone

who is a gang affiliate, you never really know who he is connected with. Therefore you know the guy is really dangerous. I am just glad to see some serious progress after all this time.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 7

by weazel on Dec 11, 2008 3:32 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the update HT.

Your perspective gives us valuable insight.

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08

by firstfan on Dec 11, 2008 12:50 PM MST reply actions

Thanks First.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Dec 11, 2008 2:15 PM MST up reply actions

Good Job HT

They need to throw the BOOK it him. I think that you are right about him being afraid for his life in jail. You know that there are a lot of Bronco fans in jail, just like everywhere else in the world! I love the fact that the prosecution isn’t offering any deals, at least right now, and I hope that they never do!

by metalman5050 on Dec 11, 2008 5:56 PM MST reply actions