Jacksonville, Florida – A Florida judge recently overturned the wrongful conviction of Willie L. Williams Jr., who spent nearly 45 years behind bars for armed robbery. This decision came after a Conviction Integrity Review by the Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office uncovered exculpatory evidence that had not been disclosed to Williams’ defense team. The evidence included the fact that the star witness had identified Williams as the shooter after having his memory “hypnotically refreshed” by a police lieutenant self-taught in hypnotism.
Williams, now 79, expressed his gratitude to the State Attorney’s Office and the Innocence Project of Florida for helping him finally clear his name and move forward with his life. The Innocence Project of Florida’s legal director also commended the State Attorney’s Office for swiftly addressing the wrongful conviction.
The case, dating back to 1975, involved a robbery at the Wesconnett Produce Store in Jacksonville, where the victims were shot in the head. Williams, who was a passenger in the getaway car, consistently maintained his innocence, stating that the actual gunman was the driver. However, the key witness, David Phillips, identified Williams as the perpetrator, leading to his conviction.
It was revealed that Phillips had been hypnotized by a police lieutenant before identifying Williams in a photo lineup. This critical information was not disclosed to Williams or his legal team until the Conviction Integrity Review revealed the use of hypnosis in his case.
The State Attorney’s Office has conceded that the newly discovered evidence entitles Williams to post-conviction relief, and as a result, they will not refile the charges against him. Williams was released on parole in June 2020, and the recent decision to vacate his convictions has finally allowed him to move on from a wrongful conviction that had plagued him for decades.
In conclusion, the Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office’s in-depth review of Williams’ case uncovered crucial evidence that led to the overturning of his convictions. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding due process rights, especially when it becomes clear that a conviction was obtained through unconstitutional means.