It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved client, Derrick Williams, in the early morning hours of December 2, 2024, less than two weeks before his 62nd birthday.

 

On April 4, 2011, Derrick Williams became the 13th Florida DNA exoneree and the 268th nationwide after post-conviction DNA testing proved he was innocent of the crimes he had been wrongfully convicted of. For 13 years, he walked the path of freedom. His story was not just one of suffering—it was a story of the enduring power of hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of justice.

 

Though Derrick’s life was cut too short, his impact will never be forgotten. His fight for justice—both his own and for others who have been wrongfully convicted—stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His legacy lives on in the work of the Innocence Project of Florida, the countless individuals whose lives have been touched by his story, and the hope that we can create a more just world for all.