RALEIGH, N.C. — On Friday morning, Civil Rights activist and attorney Ben Crump will hold a news conference with the family of Darryl Williams’ who died in Raleigh police custody. The family and Crump will respond to the autopsy findings released two days ago, which outlines how Williams died in January while Raleigh police tried to take him into custody.
The autopsy also states obesity, hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were contributing factors.
“Medical records also showed a history of an unspecified irregular heartbeat,” the autopsy states.
On Jan. 17 outside of sweepstakes parlor, officers shocked Williams three times with a Taser and he later died, despite yelling that he had a heart condition. The Raleigh native was 32.
Six police officers were involved and all placed on administrative leave at the time.
On Wednesday, WRAL News reached out to Raleigh police and Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman for an update on their status.
WRAL News has also reached out to attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Williams’ family along with Emancipate NC attorney Dawn Blagrove and DiCello Levitt partner Kenneth Abbarno.
“The findings from this autopsy serve as a chilling confirmation of what we have known to be true since we first viewed the video footage: Darryl’s death was a direct result of excessive and unreasonable police force,” the attorneys wrote. “Despite officers knowing of his heart condition, they deployed a taser against him numerous times, showing a shocking disregard for his life.
“We will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for this senseless loss of life are held accountable and that meaningful changes are implemented to prevent a tragedy like this from occurring in the future.”
During the Jan. 17 encounter on Rock Quarry Road near Merrywood Drive, Raleigh police officers suspected Williams had alcohol and marijuana in the car and asked to search it. Inside Williams’ car, officers found drugs and two guns, one of which had been reported stolen.
It’s now up to the Wake County District Attorney to decide if charges will be filed against the six officers involved.
Today’s news conference is set for 11:30 a.m. at Mount Peace Baptist Church in Raleigh.
