Fulton makes it official; won't prosecute wrongly accused man

By Jeffry Scott, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free subscription required), February 13, 2007

Photo by Rick Addicks The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Willie Williams (right), was officially cleared of a Fulton rape conviction Tuesday after 21 years in prison. Other Georgians wrongly imprisoned a total of 57 years joined him: (from left) Clarence Harrison, Robert Clark and Calvin Johnson Jr.

Willie O. "Pete" Williams — who served almost 22 years in a Georgia prison for a crime he did not commit — went into a a Fulton County courtroom Tuesday morning to clear his record, along with his name.

Williams, out of prison for three weeks, listened intently to the important words as Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell issued a "nolle prosequi" order. The order means Fulton County will not prosecute Williams again because a DNA test proved was innocent of a rape he was convicted of in 1985.

"I also want to wish Mr. Williams the best for the rest of his life," said Campbell, after issuing the order in a courtroom crowded with reporters and lawyers for the Georgia Innocence Project, which pushed for the DNA test.

After the 10 minute hearing, Williams embraced the attorney who represented him in his 1985 trial, Michael Schumacher, and hugged three other men exonerated by the GIP: Calvin Johnson, Clarence Harrison, and Robert Clark.

Together, Williams, Johnson, Harrison and Clark had served 78 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.

Wearing a sharp blue grey suit, a black derby and alligator shoes, Williams held a short news conference outside the Fulton County courthouse. He spoke in a low voice, and kept his comments his brief.

Asked how he felt about the judge's declaration, he said: "Freedom."

He was asked what he thinks about Kenneth Wicker, the man arrested Friday and charged with committing the rape Williams served time for. "I hope justice is done in his case," said Williams.