Tuesday, January 23, 2007, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office Transport Unit made a long trek to the D. Ray James Correctional Facility, Folkston, Georgia  to bring defendant Willie Otis “Pete” Williams to the Fulton County Jail.  While this was a lengthy ride for Deputy II Derrick Broughton and Deputy III Keith Draper, it was the end of a protracted journey for Pete Williams. A judge ordered the former inmate be returned to Fulton County and released after newly tested DNA evidence proved he did not rape a woman in Sandy Springs two decades ago. 

Shortly after his arrival at the back of the Fulton County Jail late Tuesday night, he was processed, and changed from his prison uniform to street clothes.  Sheriff Myron E. Freeman was there to escort Pete Williams to the front of the jail where he was able to give his mother a hug for the first time in more than 20 years.  It was an emotional scene when a host of family members saw Mr. Williams.  Even some of the employees on duty appeared choked up.

Per a court order in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia granting an Appeal Bond, the Defendant was allowed to sign his own bond and released on his own recognizance pending a hearing on his Extraordinary Motion for a New Trial. The Defendant shall appear before the Court to be heard on his Extraordinary Motion for a New Trial at a later date to be scheduled by the judge.  Sergeant Gerald Johnson double checked on Mr. Williams’ paperwork personally to ensure the proper procedures were being followed so the release process would not be delayed unnecessarily.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Georgia Innocence Project to assist the family of Mr. Williams to make his long-awaited homecoming a smooth transition.   The Georgia Innocence Project took on Mr. Williams’ case and worked diligently for his freedom.