My recent visit with Wayne Williams went really well. My wife and I checked into the Milledgeville, Georgia, Holiday Inn Express on Saturday, had a quite dinner and, as is customary, immediately got onto the computer. After about an hour of research;I had to find out if there had been any additional serial murders and there had, I took a hot shower and lay across the bed. Happy, our totally blind Maltese, was at our side. Shirley, meanwhile, was continuing to go strong at writing, doing legal research, reading reports that had recently surfaced and, of course, drinking Dr. Pepper. Recently surfaced…what a laugh…yes, recently surfaced! Had the existence of these documents only been known at the time of William’s 1982 trial! Where was the Brady decision where the Court held that all evidence used by or intended to be used by the prosecution must be provided to the defense prior to it’s being presented? Discovery was a farce!
Georgia is on Eastern time, therefore, I had to get up early for a quick breakfast and an even quicker view of USA Today. At about 7:45 a.m. I headed toward Sparta where Hancock State Prison is located.
Getting into Hancock was no easy task, for some reason they keep the doors locked! Nevertheless, I got in, cleared security and was taken to a visitation room. Wayne, in only a couple of minutes, made his entrance and the two of us sat down, Coke in hand, and started talking.
To an inmate, having a different person to talk too is a big deal! Plus, I learned many years ago that talking to Wayne is always interesting. There is seldom a dull moment with him in spite of his circumstances.
Our meeting lasted over four hours during which time we made plans for his future litigation, personal plans and things of that nature. While he had a lot on his mind, as he always does, I don’t believe we missed anything. If we did, I can’t imagine what it may have been.
Our lunch consisted of chili dogs and another Coke. Not all that bad as I was hungry by the time noon came around. We ate, talked, and continued to talk about the future, mainly Wayne’s.
Wayne has always maintained a most positive attitude and this visit was no different. In fact, I had to remind myself that it was Wayne Williams, the “so-called” infamous serial killer, that I was talking to or I would have surely forgotten. But, let me ask you this….how does a serial killer act? Strangely…No. Dangerously…Absolutely Not. Any different from any of the rest of us…not in the least. I have known Wayne Williams since 1982 and he has never been anything except polite, with good manners, something that I can’t say for some “do-gooders” in the free world that I know.
Some of our time was spent discussing the upcoming cable network two hour documentary that is currently in the planning stages. In fact, this particular trip was set-up mostly for a discussion about this particular event. I will let you know when it will be aired. It will be worth watching, no doubt.
It seems the world continues to be fascinated about The Atlanta Child Murders but, believe it or not, more and more people are beginning to believe that Wayne William’s IS NOT the killer! During the 1982 trial I imagine the percentages were somewhere around 80% to 20% that Wayne was guilty, after all he was the one caught by police. Over the years many people, even the parents of several of the slain children that made “The List,” along with a number of high ranking law enforcement officials, they were lowly street cops at the time of trial, have come to the conclusion that Wayne William’s is not guilty. Remember, contrary to what the powers-that-be at the time wished, the murders of young children did not stop after Wayne was arrested. Only The List stopped. Plus, and you may not know this, but the parents of the missing children didn’t received the $100,000 checks if their child’s name didn’t ”made the list.” Making the list was a really big thing at that time. Some children killed managed to make it, others did not. I never was able to determine the exact formula used to make this determination.
One must never forget that “politics” always plays a role in a high profile murder case as the entire community is frightened that a killer is on the loose and will strike again anytime. Convention trade was off as scheduled conventions were being canceled on a regular basis. Business, in general, was down, especially in those establishments that remained open after dark.
The children being killed were Black, therefore the killer had to be Black, preferably lower socioeconomic. Black lower socioeconomic defendants have a statistically greater likely hood of being found guilty than someone from a middle to upper class neighborhood and white. Wayne was from a middle class neighborhood, his parents, Homer and Faye were retired teachers, but they did not have the financial means to mount an adequate criminal defense. I won’t relive the case now, however, believe me Wayne William’s did not get a “fair and impartial” trial to say the least. Things are not over, take my word for it, and there is time, yet, for the truth to be made known. As I told Wayne, it’s going to be a definite uphill struggle but it has been known to work for others and it may just work for you. In fact, I noticed in the news a few days later that DNA evidence proved a prison inmate could not have committed a murder that he had been convicted of and was serving time for but, you guessed it, the District Attorney that prosecuted this individual “stands by” the jury’s guilty plea! DNA results are absolute when they prove guilt but when the same testing proves innocence…well.
The statistical probabilities of Wayne’s ever being a free man are not as great as his remaining incarcerated for the remainder of his life and he, long ago, accepted this fact. Different prosecutors are in place now, as are judges, criminal justice officials and others that may have legal, political and social input into Wayne’s release. It’s politics at it’s worst, no doubt. This time around, however, if Wayne can get his case before a judge, his chances are much better. It’s exactly this reason that the State of Georgia has every reason to keep this from happening. Even some of the state’s own “expert witnesses” have moderated their stand and, therefore, their 1982 courtroom testimony. One particular police officer that was assigned to watch the Jackson Memorial Parkway Bridge the night Wayne was supposed to have dumped a body over the side of this bridge, the officer now admits that he was not actually watching the bridge but was busy doing his income taxes while sitting in his patrol car. This was in June, therefore the guy was late in getting his taxes filed! I wonder if he had gotten an extension from the IRS?
At the conclusion of our day long meeting, I made my way back through the maze of locked doors, fences and security points, got into my car and drove back to Milledgeville. Wayne, of course, went back to doing the same things he has done since 1982. There’s not a lot of variety in a maximum security penal institution.
After getting back to the hotel my wife and I, Happy decided not to go, went out for dinner and spent almost three hours going over the events of the day. My wife, Shirley, no new comer to criminal litigation, has long realized that Wayne Williams didn’t get the fair trial that is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. For this there is no doubt.
We ate, got back to our hotel room, walked Happy, then settled down for more discussion. I believe we ended up actually going to bed around dawn. Researching cases such as Wayne’s is no simple nor rapid project if it is to be done properly and professionally. Notes had to be taken, digital recordings had to be made, entries had to be keyed into our two laptops, etc. What a difference from the 1982 trial when the closest we had to a laptop was a pencil and legal pad.
Early the next morning (Monday) we checked out of the Holiday Inn Express and headed toward Atlanta. It was a pleasant day and the drive was uneventful. We checked into the Crowne Plaza and attempted made contact with Wayne’s attorney. The next couple or three days would be filled with research, research, research. It turned out to be exactly this way…always is. There’s nothing exciting about doing background work on a criminal case, even one that in 1982 was the most publicized in the annals of American crime!
Our evenings gave us a bit of time to have a quite dinner with friends but, even then, ‘The Case” came up and was discussed. As I said earlier, even today, The Atlanta Child Murders remain a most talked about series of killings. I get more requests for case information on the Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and Wayne Williams cases that any others. Plus, people do constantly want to know about the children of these infamous serial killers, if you can classify Manson as a serial killer.
The dinner was great, you know it’s going to be when the prices don’t appear on the menu and a limo picks you up at your hotel and delivers you back at the conclusion of the evening. But, after the time and research efforts both Shirley and I had put in, I suppose a bit of the “high life” is permissible. It certainly was not at the expense of the Georgia taxpayer so not articles to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution! No, I am not going to divulge who our friends were as to do so would violate protocol. You will know in time, perhaps, perhaps not.
I encourage all individuals interested in Wayne William’s case to study the entire case, not just portions. You must understand every single detail in order to get the total, accurate, picture and feeling of what the atmosphere was in Atlanta, Georgia, during the late ’70’s and early ’80’s when young Black children were going missing. Politically, someone had to be caught and someone was caught…Wayne Williams. The fact that many other names were on a list of suspects, some with more evidence pointing to their guilt that Wayne is seldom discussed. Wayne was caught, so everyone returned to their normal living. Everyone except Wayne and his family.
Believe me, status quo is about to change! Politicians don’t want to hear this, nor do some others, nevertheless, more and more do. The statistical probability of a different outcome, should Wayne’s case get back in Court, may very well be totally different. But then, again, herein lies the major problem. How far with the State go to keep Wayne Williams’ from getting back before a judge? Murders were happenings, an individual was arrested, the murders stopped (oh, really?), and life returned to normal. Plus, you must remember that the jury members had to go back into their respective metropolitan communities…how do you think they were, therefore, inclined to vote? Guilty, of course!
Some people continue to actually believe that police only apprehend and arrest guilty individuals and Courts and juries only find these defendants as such. If you believe this then I have ocean front property for sale at a really good price….in Tennessee!
Making an arrest in a politically charged serial murder is extremely important, the faster the better. To hell with facts and evidence, just arrest someone! Officials, in Wayne’s case, from The White House, to the Governor’s Mansion, to City Hall, were demanding that “someone” be arrested. I place emphasis on the word “someone,” which, I remind you is not the same as the “guilty one.” It is also interesting to point out that not all officials at a meeting at the Governor’s Manson the night before Wayne’s arrest were ready for such. However, the most powerful won and Wayne was arrested the next day.
I don’t expect everyone of you reading this blog to agree with me. However, don’t forget that I have the same First Amendment right to my freedom of speech as you PLUS I was there! I have long subscribed to the term “documentation” and, believe me, I have “documentation.” I will share this information with you at the appropriate time. Until then, keep coming back to my site…I will keep you up-to-date on case activity. So-called “new evidence continues to surface and this is 2009! Where has this “new evidence” been all these years? It hasn’t been a Wayne’s attorney’s office, that’s for sure. Where else do you suppose it could have been? Why was it not made known, turned over to the defense under Brady and allowed admitted at trial? I don’t think it takes a genius to figure this out. The sad fact is that the name of the game in court is winning, not getting at the truth.
Will Shirley and I feel negative repercussions from our dealings with Wayne William’s case. You better bet we will, or I did during the original trial. There will probably be telephone calls late at night, hang-up calls regularly, vulgar messages left on our answering machine, attempts to turn me against Shirley and her against me, oh yes…the list goes on and on. You can rest assured, however, that proper precautions have already been taken, are presently in place, and will continue to be for as long as is necessary. Will anyone have the nerve to face us one-on-one? There will be a few, not many. Will it be necessary to alter the way we live our lives, not in the least.
Finally, it is vital to make the point that Criminology Research Project, Inc., is not “pro-defense” nor is it “pro-prosecution.” The Project is objective and merely does professional research, allowing the chips to fall where they may. Chips are about to fall, where, I don’t know. Do I have an idea? Sure I do. Will I let you in on it? Surely you know better.
Finally, I must thank one individual in particular for taking care of business while Shirley and I were away. This young person is from somewhere South of Huntsville, I think, and she is good at what she does. Her husband does what he does well, he supports his wife just as she does him.
Always keep you hand close to your chest, my friend. Many of you know what I mean, some of you think that you do and a few of you, actually do.
Remember, The United States Constitution says that a citizen is “innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainly.” Wayne William’s didn’t receive this guaranteed protection. The system failed him therefore it failed each and everyone of us. Never, for one instance, think that it could not happen to you. To some of us, mathematics says that it will. To others it will make no difference as their mind is “closed’ and has been since the original 1982 verdict. Some have the mistaken belief that if they do not commit a crime they will not be drawn into the criminal justice system. What a mistaken idea. Look to the Innocence Project if you have any doubts. Numerous former inmates are free that, at one time, were on death row for a crime they did not commit. Had it not been for the Innocence Project these individuals would have been executed by now. I cannot say that I am against capital punishment, just that I am against this particular punishment is handed down. How many financially well off death row inmates are there? What’s the percentage of death row inmates as compared to the racial makeup of our nation? Same crime…different sentence.
Our next visit is already scheduled and, no we will not be staying at The Holiday Inn-Express in Milledgeville. I’m not a fool…a bit crazy but not stupid! What about the Crowne Plaza in Atlanta? Well, lets just say that the security there is on the level with that of most penal institutions. You must have a pass to get to a door to get a pass to get into the lobby. Then, the requirement is still another pass to get the elevator to take you only to the floor on which your room is located. To gain access to certain floors still another pass is required. The security people sure seem adequate; their Glock’s seem oiled and ready. The beautiful and well-trained German Shepherd dogs are delightful but, no, I didn’t attempt to pet any of them. Happy did make a pass at one of them but he turned his head. Poor Happy, she tried!
My best to the few “obsessed” individuals that have already contacted Shirley and me. Sorry, but we don’t give out inmate addresses and the Warden kinda likes this idea. The fact that God sent you or that you are on a mission from the Almighty doesn’t get you in the door, sorry. Neither does the fact that you received your college degree from Manson University…Charles Milles Manson, President.
May the “true crime” buffs continue to frequent Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble and the other book stores. Don’t forget Amazon.com, the stockholders appreciate your business. However, if you want facts, leave a comment on this site. I will answer every comment but it won’t be “blood and guts,” and it won’t be nearly as exciting as what you would want.
Take care, my friends, and thank you to the many that understand quality academic research for what it is.
As Ted Bundy said, “Peace.” Ted signed with a small “t.” You can be the judge as to the hidden meaning here.
