Ex-inmate begins 'the rest of his life'

By Jeffry Scott, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free subscription required), February 14, 2007

The last time Willie O. "Pete" Williams was in a Fulton County courtroom he was convicted of a rape he didn't commit and spent almost 22 years in prison.

So, on Tuesday morning, he was nervous.

Photo by Rick Addicks The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pete Williams (right) celebrates with others who were wrongly convicted, then freed based on DNA evidence. Clarence Harrison (from left) served 17 years; Robert Clark, 24 years; and Calvin Johnson Jr., 16 years. Williams was imprisoned for 21 years.

"I just wanted to get it all over with," Williams said later.

This time, instead of almost 22 years, it took about 10 minutes.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell approved an "extraordinary motion for a new trial." He then declared the case "nolle prosequi," meaning the county would not prosecute Williams again for the crime he didn't commit.

Then he said: "I also want to wish Mr. Williams the best for the rest of his life." Then the courtroom — which was jammed with reporters, family, lawyers, and members of the Georgia Innocence Project, which pushed for the DNA tests that proved Williams innocent — broke into applause.

Michael Schumacher, the attorney who represented Williams, in his 1985 trial, was the first to walk over and greet Williams at the defense table. They had not seen each other in almost 22 years.

Williams, a kid then, 45 years old now, stuck out his hand.

"No," said Schumacher, smiling. "I have to give you a hug." They embraced.

Then came hugs and greetings and congratulations from three men who sat behind Williams during the hearing: Clarence Harrison, Robert Clark and Calvin Johnson. Williams, Harrison, Clark and Johnson have an uncommon bond few would wish to share. They have all served decades in prison for crimes they didn't commit — a total of 78 years — and all been proven innocent by DNA.

Afterward, Williams met reporters briefly outside the courthouse.

He looked sharp in clothes he bought Monday for his day in court: a four-button, blue grey wool suit, brown alligator shoes, a paisley tie, pink striped shirt and a natty black derby.

He spoke in a quiet voice and kept his answers brief.

He was asked what his feeling was after the judge's ruling. "Freedom," he said.

He was asked what he thought about the arrest last Friday of Kenneth Wicker, who has been charged with committing the rape for which Williams served more than two decades in prison.

"I hope justice is done in his case," he said.

He was asked if he had gotten a job yet. "No," he said.

He was asked if he had a sweetheart for Valentine's Day (aside from his mother, Judy Beglar, who was by his side, as she has been at every press conference). "No," he said.

He was asked, as he has been asked dozens of times, in dozens of ways, was he angry about all those years behind bars for something he didn't do.

"No," he said.

Then he and his mother departed to spend another day of freedom together. Later, attorney David Balser, whose firm, McKenna Long & Aldridge, has adopted Williams, said he planned to give Williams a surprise gift — $10,000 in cash.

"This will really make his day great," said Balser.