Clark Guilty In Darrent Williams Murder

((HT: KUSA-TV Denver))

Suspected Eastside Tre Tre Crips ((CO)) gang member Willie Clark has been found guilty of murder in the shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.

A Denver jury returned the verdict after deliberating for a day and a half.

Williams was killed on New Year's Day 2007.

Prosecutors said Clark fired the shots that killed Williams from an SUV that pulled up beside the limo carrying Williams, friends, and teammates. Prosecutors also maintain Clark was angry over an altercation involving his friends and Williams' friends inside and outside the Safari nightclub in downtown Denver.

Defense attorneys said Clark was being made a scapegoat and wasn't in the SUV.

Clark is now guilty of all 21 counts against him including first-degree murder/extreme indifference, first-degree murder/after deliberation and attempted first-degree murder.

The world isn't done with Clark.

Denver prosecutors have also charged him with first-degree murder in the death of a woman, Kalonniann Clark ((no relation)) who was about to testify in an attempted murder case.

He faces life in prison in that case if convicted at that trial.

KCNC-TV's Jennifer Miller was outside the courtroom...
((HT: CBS4Denver.com))

Brandon Marshall Called To Testify In Darrent Williams Case

((HT: KUSA-TV Denver))

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was called to the witness stand in the Willie Clark murder trial yesterday.

Clark is charged with pulling the trigger in the death of Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams on New Year's Day 2007.

Marshall testified in court that he saw a confrontation in the VIP area of the Shelter nightclub between a group of Williams' friends and two other men. He said he did not see any champagne being sprayed ((as one version of the facts is being reported involving Marshall's cousin who was there as well that evening)). He and teammate Elvis Dumervil tried to make peace with the men. Marshall said he offered to buy the men drinks too.

Attorneys say Marshall never saw Clark or anyone in that group get into a white SUV. Police say the shots that killed Williams were fired from that kind of vehicle.

The defense tried to go after Brandon Marshall's testimony. Marshall described the suspect wearing sunglasses and a hoodie that may have been dark with some purple coloring. Defense attorneys showed a photo of a camouflage jacket connected to the case.

There are close to 50 other names on the witness list- including both athletes and those involved in the shooting of Darrent Williams.

Here's News9's coverage with TaRhonda Thomas in their newsroom...

Moreno OK To Wear Broncos 27

((HT: Denver Post/Mike Klis))
The Broncos are returning No. 27 to the field.

Last worn Dec. 31, 2006, by cornerback Darrent Williams ((pictured, thanks Getty Images file)), the number will go to running back Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos' first draft choice.

Moreno personally called Rosalind Williams, Darrent's mother, earlier this week to ask if he could wear the number. Rosalind gave her blessing. Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting Jan. 1, 2007, hours after playing in the Broncos' final regular-season game.

Moreno wore No. 24 at the University of Georgia, but that number belongs to Champ Bailey with the Broncos.

Moreno first met Rosalind in mid-February when he was choosing an agent. Rosalind was endorsing Darrent's agent, Jeffrey Griffin, who has helped her through her
son's tragedy. Although Moreno ultimately picked agent Tom Condon, the running back was touched enough by his meeting with Rosalind to seek her approval before wearing No. 27.

The only condition placed on Moreno by the family is that he spend a few hours each month at the Darrent Williams Teen Center. The center was opened in a low-income section of Denver last May to help area youth.