RALEIGH, N.C. — The mother of a man who died in police custody wants answers from the Raleigh Police Department.
What You Need To Know
The mother and attorneys for Darryl Tyree Williams held a press conference Thursday
Sonya Williams wants the police chief to answer for why her son is dead
Body cam footage was released last week
In front of a packed house of worship at the Mt. Peace Baptist Church on Thursday, Sonya Williams talked about the life of her son Darryl Williams.
“That was my first-born. That was my only son. He shouldn’t be dead, and I want justice,” Sonya Williams said from the pulpit.
Famed attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents a vast majority of families after deadly run-ins with law enforcement, stood beside Williams at a midday press conference.
“We can’t have peace in Raleigh, North Carolina until we have justice for Darryl Tyree Williams,” Crump said.
Nearly a month after his death there are still questions about it.
On January 17, Darryl Williams was approached by two RPD officers while seated in the driver seat of a car with another person beside him in the passenger seat. A memo from the city official said officers were conducting “proactive patrols” in the area.
RPD Officers J.T. Thomas and C.D. Robinson were on patrol that night. Robinson walked up to Williams’ vehicle to inquire what him and the other person were doing. Robinson then asked Williams and his occupant to get out of the car. A review of the encounter by RPD states Robinson claims to have seen an open container of alcohol and marijuana.
After exiting the vehicle, Williams asked why he was being removed from the vehicle. The video shows once Williams was put in handcuffs he continued to ask why he was under arrest.
In the process of trying to get Williams on the ground, the 32-year-old man tried to flee, but Robinson stunned him with the first of multiple tasers. After a physical ordeal, Williams tried again to run away from the officers. Except this time he tripped and fell in the parking lot.
Moments later with Williams in closer range, Robinson and Thomas tased him. Williams can be heard in the footage crying for the cops to stop because of a heart condition. While he was begging for these officers to let him go, Williams was tased again.
After a few tense minutes of Williams squirming in agony, he became motionless. The law enforcement on site checked Williams' breathing and pulse. Williams would not respond. He would eventually be pronounced dead at a nearby hospital by Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Six of the officers involved with the case remain on administrative leave. Part of the details from that night is shared in a five-day report.
Flash forward to the present, supporters marched from the church to the site where Williams died. The concrete where he took his final breaths has become a memorial.
Chants of “say his name” and “no justice, no peace” rang out as people walked to the parking lot in lock-step with Sonya Williams.
It was yet another example of activism from families of people who died in police custody.
Passion turned into somber silence when Williams laid flowers on the site of her son’s death.
Before the march, Williams spoke briefly about her son.
She described him as a man who kept to himself and got along with everyone.
She said he wasn’t perfect, but he was a good person.
Williams said she hasn't spoken to anyone in a position of power at City Hall or with Raleigh police. With conviction, she said this is what she would say to the police chief.
“I would ask her to prosecute her two officers. Because they were wrong. They were totally wrong. They didn’t have to kill my son,” she said.
There are no pending charges for the officers involved with Williams' death.
The following is a statement from the RPD:
We are aware of the news conference by Emancipate NC and the Ben Crump Law firm.
However, the Raleigh Police Department does not comment on any ongoing investigations.
The five-day report has indicated that all investigations are ongoing, will be thorough, and will follow the available facts and evidence wherever they lead. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting an independent criminal investigation and will present its findings directly to the Wake County District Attorney for review.
The Detective Division of the Raleigh Police Department is conducting a separate investigation into the actions of Mr. Williams. Additionally, the Internal Affairs Unit of the Raleigh Police Department is conducting an administrative investigation into the actions of the officers who were involved in the arrest. When complete, the administrative investigation will be reviewed by the RPD command staff.
In the spirit of transparency, the Raleigh Police Department has released information concerning the death of Darryl Tyree Williams: a Five-Day Report and an Addendum to the Five-Day report, which have been submitted to the City Manager by the Police Chief.
Unfortunately, we will be unable to accommodate an interview.