Violent, Sexual Predator Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Darry Williams Convicted of Assault with Intent to Rape for 2003 Attack

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his conviction, Darry Williams (39) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 14 July 2003 attack on a 30-year-old woman. Williams was found guilty of aggravated assault with intent to rape.

The victim had just parked her car at the West End MARTA Station in the early morning hours on the day of the incident. As was her practice, she chained her steering wheel to her brake and opened the door. Before she could get out of the car, however, Williams (with whom she had once worked at a restaurant at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport) approached her and placed a butcher knife to her throat. She immediately cried out as the defendant made clear his intention to rape her. He leaned over her into the car and opened the passenger door, pushing the victim back into the car and shutting the door. As he started walking around the vehicle, the victim jumped out of the car and ran—screaming—down the sidewalk where she encountered Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Slade driving past. Upon seeing the terrified woman, Slade pulled up on the sidewalk, jumped out of his vehicle, and attempted to detain the defendant after he saw him throw a knife into a grassy area. A scuffle ensued and the defendant managed to escape, leaving his torn shirt in the hands of the deputy and the knife in the grass. He was arrested after the victim identified him from a photographic lineup.

Williams is a convicted rapist, having pleaded guilty in 1986 to two separate, violent attacks and received a sentence of 14 years in prison. He was paroled briefly in 1992 but later served the balance of his sentence. He was released in 1999 but failed to register as a sex offender. His previous victims testified at this week’s trial.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Gayle Abramson prosecuted the case, and Judge Isaac Jenrette presided.

Erik Friedly, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)