Darrent Williams' Killer Gets Life Plus 1,152 Years for Murder of Broncos Cornerback

By: Carlin DeGuerin Miller
Topics: Daily Blotter

Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

DENVER (CBS/AP) Darrent Williams' 10-year-old son broke down at Williams' funeral when he realized he would never speak to his father again, Tierria Leonard, the mother of Williams' two children, told the court at the sentencing of Williams's killer, Willie Clark. The boy had asked his mother if the Denver Broncos cornerback had his cell phone with him in the casket when he was buried.

Convicted killer Willie Clark. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Clark was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,152 years Friday for the New Year's Day 2007 slaying of Williams after a confrontation at a nightclub in downtown Denver. Colo. During a hearing earlier Friday, Clark was declared a habitual criminal, making him eligible for the additional 1,152 years in prison.

Rosalind Williams, Darrent Williams' mother, urged the smiling Clark to express remorse for the killing saying "make your mom and your dad proud. I know my son made me proud."

Rosalind Williams told the court that she will never be able to hear the words "Happy Mother's Day" without being reminded that her "baby will never be able to tell me happy Mother's Day again."

Prosecutors portrayed Darrent Williams as a peacemaker as his friends argued with gang members who had taken exception to the special treatment afforded the celebrated athletes outside the nightclub, and continued the confrontation inside the nightclub after somebody in Williams' group sprayed champagne in celebration, according to witnesses.

The dispute continued outside as Williams and his group tried to leave. Witnesses said Clark desperately searched for a gun following the altercation, hopped into an SUV to catch up with a limousine carrying Williams, then fired the fatal shots.

Clark's defense attorneys have 45 days to file an appeal. Both left the court without comment.

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by LisaK13 June 15, 2010 4:32 AM EDT: Terrible. 1,152 years additional is excessive, but it makes a point. It was such a senseless murder of a talented man. GOD will decide what more HE will do to him.; Reply to this comment


by Wildwood1966 May 3, 2010 4:48 PM EDT: his day will come and maybe sooner then he thinks - he could be in "the joint" with a great fan of the football player - sad - The joke's on him; Reply to this comment


by betopless May 3, 2010 12:13 PM EDT: Why do we waste tax dollars on people like him!!; Reply to this comment

by random_radar May 3, 2010 11:59 AM EDT

The sentence will be reduced on appeal and Willie Clark will be out on parole in 3 years.

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by brianbwb2011 May 3, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: Guarantee you are wrong.

At most the 1,152 year sentence will be stricken as superfluous, but life without parole will remain. A confirmed habitual, convicted of premeditated murder, Clark will never see a free day again.

Only the super rich get the treatment you describe, Bush murdered over a million innocent people, he is still free.

Having said that, my original purpose was to point out that the person sitting next to Clark, perhaps his attorney, is also smiling, must be one heck of a joke being told.