Material Witness Found Shot To Death

Tuesday, July 31st 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

A material witness in a murder trial has become Tulsaâ€™s latest homicide victim. Police say 22-year-old Mark Williams was shot to death inside a home on North Main Monday night. Records show he was supposed to be back in court on Friday as a witness to a recent murder. On Tuesday detectives interviewed a possible witness in this case. But News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports authorities working the case say it is too soon to know whether Williams was killed because he was a witness or because of drugs.

When Tulsa police got to the scene Monday night they quickly realized this victim was someone they knew. They know Mark Williams because he's considered a material witness in an upcoming murder case.

Records show Williams was set to testify against Lyndell Dabney, whoâ€™s charged with murdering Demonzo Washington this past March, just one block away from where Mondayâ€™s murder took place. But police say Williamsâ€™ murder will not stop the prosecution of Dabney.

"I've been in contact with Tim Harris and this case is going to move forward,â€ said Tulsa Police Sergeant Mike Huff. â€œThis doesn't help our case, but it will stand on its own without him."

Police do not want people to jump the gun and assume Williams was killed because he was a witness. They say it's too early to know that, and there is evidence that leads them in another direction.

"That's only speculation, that's something we're obviously looking into but this has drug overtones to it, so we're not jumping to any conclusions," Huff said.

Police are hoping a high-tech gadget can help them track down Williams' killers. The victim was wearing a GPS monitoring bracelet because he was a material witness in a murder case, and police wanted to make sure he didn't leave town. Now, they'll be downloading the information from the bracelet to see where Williams has been in the past few days, in hopes maybe that will tell them what happened to him.

Police say they tell witnesses in violent crime cases to get away from the people and locations that could endanger them. They say witnesses often refuse to stay away from the lifestyle that put them near violence in the first place, and that often leads to more violence.

Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris said Monday he has been appointed to the statewide gang task force, and one of the first things he plans to ask lawmakers for next year is money for safe houses and a witness protection program at the state level, like the feds have. Both he and police feel that will help reassure witnesses in the future.

Police are still investigating Williamsâ€™ death, and do not know why he was killed. They probably won't know that until they catch whoever did it. If you have any information that could help police solve this case call Crimestoppers, 596-COPS. You can remain anonymous and if your tip leads to an arrest you could earn a cash reward.

Related Stories:

3/4/2007 - No Arrest In Latest Homicide

6/19/2007 Murder Charge Filed In Tulsa Killing

7/30/2007 Man Shot To Death In His Home