Two Witnesses Held in Contempt During Darrent Williams Trial

For what it seems for ages to take place is finally underway. The trial of murder of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams. According to the Denver Post two of the witnesses that the prosecution subpoenaed refused to testify. These witnesses being Mario Anderson and Kataina “Markie” Jackson-Keeling. Both of these witnesses are said to have been in the white Tahoe in which the gunshots came out of killing and prematurely ending the life of the young Darrent Williams. The person who the prosecution claim to have fired the shots within the white Tahoe is the defendant, Willie Clark.

Two other witnesses prosecutors subpoenaed to testify Wednesday in Clark’s trial refused and were held in contempt of court.

Mario Anderson and Kataina “Markie” Jackson-Keeling, already indicted on perjury charges and accused by prosecutors of lying to a Denver grand jury about the events of that night, were handcuffed in the courtroom and taken to jail by sheriff’s deputies.

The judge presiding of the case, Judge Christina M. Habas, did not take lightly to their refusals. Judge Habas has placed these witnesses in contempt and will bring them to the trial everyday from jail until they decide to testify.

“At this time I have no choice other than to find you both in direct contempt,” Judge Christina M. Habas said. “I have given you both a lawful order. I am ordering you both be remanded immediately in Denver County Jail unless and until you decide to testify and comply with my order.”

The Denver Post further explains that the two witnesses are refusing to testify out of ‘fear for their lives.’

An indictment says Anderson and Jackson-Keeling were passengers in the Tahoe during the shooting and they refused to talk to police because they fear for their lives.

A serious problem arises from dealing with the credibility of the witnesses because of the deals that have been arranged for them to testify.

The credibility of witnesses is a central issue in the trial. Defense lawyers for Clark have told the jury that witnesses cannot be relied on because of their criminal backgrounds and plea deals they have made with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony against Clark.

This issue only makes matters worse because one witness, Raven Dennis, testimony is jaded by the fact that she was severely intoxicated and stoned the night of the shooting. The only thing Dennis is sure of is that the man in the passenger seat of the white Tahoe was wearing ‘big sunglasses.’ The prosecutors believe the man with the ‘big sunglasses’ is Willie Clark.

Raven Dennis, who testified she is sure that a man wearing big sunglasses was sitting in the front passenger seat, had difficulty remembering additional details of the night because she had eight to nine shots of gin within a two-hour period and smoked marijuana.

As fans all we can do is sit and pray, meditate, or whatever works for you. Let’s hope Williams murder is brought to justice. I still can’t believe that such a dire consequence resulted from such a stupid situation. R.I.P Darrent Williams.