Wayne Bertram Williams, the man convicted of killing two of 28 young Black males in the infamous Atlanta Child Murders, was denied parole by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole on Monday, Dec. 2.
Williams, 61, was sentenced to two life terms in prison with the possibility of parole in 1982. He continues to maintain his innocence despite the forensics evidence that placed some of the victims in his car and home.
Many believe Williams is a scapegoat who took the fall for the real killer(s) during the killing spree that terrorized Atlanta from 1979-1981.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is among the supporters who believe Williams is innocent. She announced last year that Atlanta city police and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office would re-examine the murder cases for new evidence.
Channel 2’s Tony Thomas spoke to Williams’ close allies who were “99 percent sure” he would be released on parole today.
“I don’t see why anyone would want to hold a man in prison if there is still lingering doubts that he didn’t do any of the things he’s convicted of,” said Dewayne Hendrix, leader of The Wayne Williams Freedom Project.
Williams will have to wait another 8 years before he can go before the parole board again.
In a letter dated last month but just released Monday, the state board cited the main reason for the denial was “insufficient amount of time served to date given the nature and circumstances of your offense(s).”
Wayne Williams was born on May 27, 1958, and raised in southwest Atlanta by his doting parents, Homer and Faye Williams. Both of his parents earned modest salaries as school teachers. They worked long hours and made sure their only child wanted for nothing.
A young Williams is shown here sitting on his mother’s lap in a photo taken by his photographer dad.
Williams was a bookish boy who tested at the genius level. As a teenager he constructed his own radio station at home and began frequenting Atlanta stations WIGO and WAOK.
He developed an interest in recording studio equipment and began to “audition” young boys in the neighborhood. He dreamed of becoming a pop music producer and manager.
Atlanta police say Williams handed out flyers to young boys, hoping to discover the next Jackson 5.
Some of the boys who auditioned for Williams ended up as victims of the Atlanta child serial murderer.
