Officer: 'Person Of Interest' Denied Killing Broncos' Williams

Wednesday, July 18th 2007, 11:26 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ A man considered a person of interest in the shooting death of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams wrote a letter in state prison saying he did not kill Williams, a federal agent testified Wednesday.

Willie DeWayne Clark, 24, wrote to another inmate saying authorities had asked him about Williams' slaying ``but I didn't do it,'' Special Federal Officer Robert Fuller said during a hearing in an unrelated drug case against Clark.

Williams, 24, a former Oklahoma State University standout, died from a gunshot wound in the neck as he and others were riding away from a New Year's Eve party at a Denver nightclub. Two other people with Williams in the stretch Hummer limousine were injured.

No one has been arrested on charges stemming directly from the shooting.

Authorities identified Clark as a person of interest because they allege he worked for a gang-linked drug organization run by Brian Hicks, the owner of a sport utility vehicle that authorities believe was used in Williams' slaying.

Hicks was in jail at the time, awaiting trial on attempted murder charges.

Fuller said Clark's letter denying responsibility for the slaying was written in March when he was serving a 180-day sentence for a parole violation. Fuller said authorities obtained a copy of the letter but did not know to whom it was written.

When Clark finished his parole violation sentence, he was turned over to federal authorities on charges of possessing and distributing cocaine. A judge refused Wednesday to set bail, citing Clark's record of 31 missed court appearances on various charges.

He is due back in court Aug. 1.

Clark's lawyer, Alaurice Tafoya-Modi, said in a court filing last week that Clark was being ``treated as a suspect'' in the Williams case, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

In the filing, Tafoya-Modi asked for additional help defending him, saying the drug case would likely be affected by the Williams investigation. The judge denied the request, calling it premature.

Court officials said Tafoya-Modi's filing was not available Wednesday. She declined comment.

Denver police did not immediately return a phone call.

Related Stories:

1/5/2007 Denver Police Get Warrant To Search SUV In Williams Slaying

1/9/2007 Attorney: Suspect Knows Nothing About Darrent Williams Shooting

2/3/2007 Person Of Interest In Williams Case Is Sentenced On Parole Charge

7/6/2007 Person Of Interest In Williams Case Now In Federal Custody