Timothy T. Williams. Jr. (Courtesy Photo)
By AFRO Staff
There are an estimated 40,000 to 230,000 persons in American prisons who were wrongfully convicted. But, exoneration is a legal battle often out of financial reach for many.
Timothy T. Williams Jr., a national leading expert on police procedure, use of force, and wrongful conviction, is seeking to bring justice just a touch closer for the wrongfully incarcerated. On Oct. 2, which marked International Wrongful Conviction Day, the former LAPD officer launched a foundation that will use grant funding to provide the legal experts to work on state and federal wrongful conviction cases nationwide.
“I am delighted to support International Wrongful Conviction Day,” Williams said in a statement. “Moreover, I decided to launch a project that will fund legal teams that include lawyers, experts, and criminal investigators to scale up pro bono efforts that can save lives.”
By some estimates, some exoneration cases can cost more than $2 million and an estimated 5,000 attorney hours. In addition to funding the legal process from beginning to end, TTWFWC will also provide continuing education and professional development workshops to the next generation of expert witnesses, criminal investigators, and attorneys.
Williams is launching his foundation after 46 years of experience in the criminal justice system. After retiring from the LAPD as a senior detective supervisor, he established his consultancy practice in 2003, T.T. Williams, Jr., Investigations, Inc. in that capacity, Williams has provided expert testimony in more than 200 cases at the state and federal level and analyzed over 1,300 cases. Most notably, Williams’ expert analysis in the wrongful murder conviction of Kash D. Register helped to lead to the largest reported settlement, at that time, in an individual civil rights case in the history of Los Angeles, totaling $16.7 million in restitution in 2016.
To learn more about TTWFWC or donate visit: www.TTWFWC.org.