The cycle of time rolls on, whether it is the NFL or life in general. On days and nights like this day, and this night, however, we often stop, albeit for just a moment, to think back - to the prior year and further - before we take the time to look ahead.

For Broncos fans, New Years Eve will always hold a somber meaning - even if we take the time to celebrate the life that was Darrent Williams.

It was five years ago tonight when Williams was gunned down as his Hummer Limo drove away from a nightclub where the Broncos, and several other athletes, were celebrating the New Year, and Williams' record label, RYNO Records. The man charged with the crime has seen his day in court, being found guilty. It offers some closure to Williams' family and friends, but can never bring D-Will back. You can read all about that night - and the events that followed - by checking out the Section on MHR dedicated to it.

DARRENT WILLIAMS NEWS

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Gone, but never, ever forgotten!

 

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The cycle of time rolls on, whether it is the NFL or life in general.  On days and nights like this day, and this night, however, we often stop, albeit for just a moment, to think back - to the prior year and further - before we take the time to look ahead.

For Broncos fans, New Years Eve will always hold a somber meaning - even if we take the time to celebrate the life that was Darrent Williams.

It was four years ago tonight when Williams was gunned down as his Hummer Limo drove away from a nightclub where the Broncos, and several other athletes, were celebrating the New Year, and Williams' record label, RYNO Records. You can read all about that night - and the events that followed - by checking out the Section on MHR dedicated to it.

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 Two men who refused to testify in the trial of a man convicted in the death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams have pleaded guilty to being an accessory to perjury.

As part of a plea bargain, 21-year-old Kataina (Markie) Jackson-Keeling and 22-year-old Mario Anderson admitted they were in contempt of the court. They pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Prosecutors had accused them of lying to a Denver grand jury investigating Williams' death in a drive-by shooting early on New Year's Day 2007.

Jurors convicted Willie Clark in March of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison.

Jackson-Keeling and Anderson are free on bail. They are due to be sentenced June 7.

Bronco fans everywhere finally see justice served today.  Willie Clark, convicted in the slaying of Darrent Williams, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Tacked on are another 1152 years for sixteen attempted murders. 

Obviously Clark will never make it to 3162 A.D., so he will likely die in prison for his crimes. According to the Denver Post, Judge Christina M. Habas had this to say:

Mr. Clark, I will simply say from where I sit, barring a retrial of this issue, you are spending your life in prison and you too can be a good person and make a change and make a difference with your life however it turns out.

Questions still remain, however, as Clark insists he is just the gang's patsy for the crime committed.  Luckily for him, he has ample time to appeal this conviction.

A jury found Willie Clark GUILTY of First Degree Murder in the 2007 shooting death of Broncos CB Darrent Williams, it was reported.  Clark was facing 21 counts, including 1st Degree Murder,  for unloading a weapon into a Hummer Limo that carried Williams, Broncos WR Javon Walker and 15 others.  Williams was struck in the neck and died at the scene.

The jury deliberated for nearly 12 hours before reaching their decision.

As we take a moment to forget football, here's hoping the family of Darrent Williams can find peace.  They have been the epitome of strength and grace throughout all of this.  The thoughts of Broncos Country goes out to them on what has to be a bittersweet day.

I hope Mike Shanahan can find some peace as well.  The Head Coach of the Broncos when Williams was killed, Shanahan was the face of the organization that day and handled it with class and dignity.  His speech at Williams funeral was all class - I was proud to be a Broncos fan that day - even more than usual.

I hope Brandon Marshall can find some peace.  With his involvement that night now out in the open, I am hoping a guilty verdict can bring some closure to Marshall - and his purported anger for the City of Denver.  Now the healing can truly begin.

Lastly, I hope everyone in Broncos Country can find some peace.  While justice has been served today, we have all lost for losing D-Will so soon.  Perhaps now we can talk about Williams with a smile on our face instead of a frown.  You know that is how Williams would want it.

Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen released the following statement -

"Nothing can ever bring Darrent Williams back or ease the suffering for (his mother) Rosalind and her grandchildren. But after three long years, it is very gratifying to see closure brought to this case. This process has been extremely difficult for the Williams family, his friends and teammates, this community, and the entire Denver Broncos organization.

"I would like to praise the long and hard work of the Denver Police Department and the Denver District Attorney's Office," he continued. "I also want to thank the Denver community for the overwhelming support that both the Williams family and the Broncos have received during this unimaginable tragedy.

"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 this community. Our hearts continue to go out to the entire Williams family."

From the Associated Press:

DENVER (AP)—The man accused of killing Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams will enter a plea in February after Friday’s hearing was postponed.

Willie D. Clark faces 39 counts, including first-degree murder. His plea hearing was postponed until Feb. 20 because his attorneys wanted more time to review evidence.

Williams was shot after leaving a Denver nightclub on New Year’s Day 2007. The indictment says Williams and Clark were at the club with separate groups that exchanged taunts before Williams and his friends left in a rented limousine.

A witness told investigators that Clark was driving an SUV when he caught up with Williams’ limo and fired into it.

The 25-year-old Clark also was indicted last month in an unrelated shooting death.

Clark is facing two seperate murder charges, and recently caught charges for making a weapon in the jail he is being held in.  (I believe these represent 3 different cases).  I am not an attorney, but I suspect the tactic is to buy time for someone who is knee deep in a case(s) he likely can't win. 

In my experience in my current line of work, I imagine Clark's gang affilliation is working against him.  Because he is associated with a number of criminal types, there are a lot of folks with information and big mouths.  While their word isn't worth much, there is going to be more information to tie together for the investigators and, by implication, the prosecution.

I think this is a good sign for those of us that believe that Clark is likely responsible for Darrent's murder.

The news that broke yesterday that a first degree murder indictment was being handed down against gang-banger Willie Clark didn't come as a surprise - Clark had been the main suspect nearly since Day 1 - but it didn't make the news any less sweet to hear. 

Williams' mother, Rosalind Williams of Fort Worth, Texas, told The Associated Press that the indictment brought her peace but also dredged up painful memories.

"Oh, I got bittersweet news today," she said of her phone call from Detective Michael Martinez informing her of Clark's indictment. "There's still a long ways to go, a long trial ahead. And we have to make sure this doesn't happen to another family, too."

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The Denver Broncos announced Monday that the organization will collaborate with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver on a long-term legacy project to honor the memory of Darrent Williams. The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center will open in early 2008 as an expansion to the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club in Montbello and serve significantly more children in need.

An important part of this legacy effort is the creation of a 7-foot, life-size bronze of Darrent Williams sculpted by world renowned artist Ed Dwight and generously funded by community members Doug Morton and his wife, Marilyn Brown.

"My wife Marilyn and I are thrilled to support the new DWMTC with this sculpture," Morton said. "Reverend Leon Kelly of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives has led us to understand the importance of helping children learn how to improve their lives through programs available to them."

As the sculpture is created over the next four months, Dwight will involve a group of teens from the new Teen Center in the entire process so that they can learn the craft and also own the project.

The sculpture is scheduled to be completed and displayed at the time the doors first open to the new Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center. Rich Barrows, who has been the director of the Denver Broncos Boys and Girls Club since it opened in 2003, is nationally known for his work to advance the dreams of teens and will bring this expertise to the new programming of the Center, serving more and more kids in the Montbello community and in the metro area at large.

For more information on this legacy project, please visit the community section of www.DenverBroncos.com or contact Broncos Vice President of Community Development Cindy Galloway-Kellogg at (720) 258-3842. To learn more about Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, please visit www.positiveplacedenver.org.