An innocent man will receive a hefty amount from the state of New York after maintaining his innocence in a crime he never committed.
Grant Williams was convicted in 1997 for fatally shooting Shdell Lewis on Staten Island. New York is paying him $7 million for spending 23 years in prison.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander says, “While no amount of money can bring those years back for Mr. Williams or his family, I am pleased that we were able to move quickly to a fair and early resolution of this claim.”
Williams always maintained his innocence and would even tell cellmates that he was innocent and would be on TV soon. He says, “I used to tell everybody in prison I’m innocent. They say, ‘Oh Williams, everybody says that.’ I said, ‘I’m telling you the truth. One day you’re gonna see me on the news, and they’re gonna say that I was innocent,’ and today’s that day.”
Despite the lack of evidence linking Williams to the murder, prosecutors managed to put him behind bars without a confession, DNA, or “any significant evidence.” The police ignored all blatant flags, and even a witness confessed that he wasn’t the suspect.
Williams’ alibi revealed he was actually in the studio with the Wu-Tang Clan. He was heavily involved in the music industry at the time. His alibi ended up being re-examined.
In 2019, Williams was put on parole after new evidence suggested his innocence in 2017. In July 2021, the Supreme Court of Richmond County threw out the conviction leaving Williams excited.
The city announced Monday that Grant Williams spent 23 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
“Grant Williams spent 23 years in jail for a crime that he did not commit,” Mr. Lander said. “The early resolution of this claim is in the best interests of all parties and City taxpayers.”
