Post on 18-Feb-2017
Florida Innocence ProjectDERRICK WILLIAMS
THE CRIME August 6, 1992
25 year old Caucasian woman arrived at home and noticed an African American male was standing on her front porch
She watched the male exit her property and as she attemped to exit her vehicle, he reappeared and forced himself inside her vehicle.
He then pushed her over to the passenger side and began to drive Once parked, the attacker ordered the woman to climb into the backseat and undress He made her cover her face with his GREY T-Shirt as he sexually assaulted her He also tied her hands and legs together with her pantyhose When the attacker left, the woman managed to untie herself and drive away with the
attacker’s grey t-shirt still on the backseat
THE INVESTIGATION
The victim 1st identified Derrick Williams from a photo lineup that contained TWO pictures of him
After the photo lineup, the victim was 80% certain that Williams was her attacker
After the live lineup, the victim was 100% certain that Williams was her attacker
People believe that the double inclusion of Williams’ photo tainted the victim’s live lineup identification.
THE TRIAL
Victim’s eyewitness testimony was the key evidence at trial(her view was obstructed for the majority of the attack)
Her best view of her attacker was when her attacker was standing on her porch ~approximately 20 feet away in the rain Described him as ~5’6”-5’8” with a scar on gut Williams is 5’11” scar on his back Single piece of physical evidence against Williams was the grey t-shirt Microscopic examination by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined hair on t-
shirt was NOT his!!! His girlfriend said he was wearing a grey t-shirt and returned with a red
shirt[PROSECUTION TRIED TO PIN IT ON HIM]!!
THE TRIAL
Williams constantly asserted his innocence and that he was wrongly misidentified
Alibi- was at a family barbecue
Friends, family, & neighbors provided the alibi
He was wearing a t-shirt similar to the one found at the crime scene
Still was convicted and sentenced to life in prison
POST CONVICTION
2006 Williams’ family wrote the innocence project of Florida July 2009: requested DNA tested hair on t-shirt, victim’s clothing, and materials from the victim’s
rape kit. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office had nearly all evidence destroyed by a mass incineration in 2003 Watery leakage flooded a vault & resulting water damage left most evidence irreparable. Negligence resulted in destruction of ~3600 cases Violated Florida State law
“all physical evidence must be preserved until the inmate has served the term of his sentence. Innocence Project of Florida secured post- conviction DNA testing of the skin cells and sweat inside
collar of grey t-shirt. April 4, 2011 state dropped Williams’ case.
SUMMARYINCIDENT DATE: 8/6/1992
JURISDICTION: FL
CHARGE: SEXUAL BATTERY ROBBERY
GTA(2 COUNTS)
CONVICTION: “SAME”
SENTENCE: 2 CONSEC. LIFE SENTENCES
YR. OF CONVICTION: 1993
EXONERATION DATE: 4/4/11
YRS. SERVED: 18
REAL PERP FOUND: NO
CONTRIB. CAUSES: EYEWITENESS
MISIDENTIFICATIONGOVERNMENT
MISCONDUDCTLACK OF EVIDENCE
COMPENSATION: NOT YET
QUESTIONS?