NNPA NEWSWIRE — DNA was sent to Sorenson Forensics, a facility in the Salt Lake City suburb of Draper that specializes in DNA evidence. There have not been any updates, according to Leach and the others. “No one has come forward and told me that Wayne Williams had killed my child,” Leach said. “Deep down in my heart I know Wayne Williams did not kill my child.”
By BlackPressUSA
Written by Donnell Suggs for The Atlanta Voice
Catherine Leach’s silver C pendant sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight. She and three other relatives, neighbors and advocates of victims of the Atlanta Child Murders took their places in front of a bank of microphones and cameras outside Atlanta City Hall Tuesday morning. The C stands in honor of her son Curtis Walker, who was killed when he was just a young child almost 50 years ago.
They were there to conduct a press conference in order to garner attention for the victims, as well as to obtain any updates on the DNA of the victims, which was outsourced more than a year ago under former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The DNA was sent to Sorenson Forensics, a lab in the Salt Lake City suburb of Draper that deals in DNA evidence. According to Leach and others, there have been no developments. “No one has come forward to tell me that Wayne Williams murdered my kid,” Leach explained. “I know deep down in my spirit that Wayne Williams did not murder my child.”
‘What are they hiding?’ wondered Nicholas Burston, Anthony Carter’s nephew and an Atlanta Child Murders victim. Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice photo ‘I still want justice for my kid,” Leach said. “I’m standing in the gap for the other adults that are no longer here.”
Williams has been behind bars since 1981 after killing two people. He was not found guilty of killing the numerous children involved in the Atlanta Child Murders. Williams’ family friend and erstwhile neighbor Hazel Horne is interested in learning more about what happened to Williams. She referred to Williams’ Southwest Atlanta neighborhood, saying, “I pray and I hope he goes back to his hometown. Near the Williams house, Horne continues to reside. Despite having resided there for almost 50 years, she only purchased the house 25 years ago. “There are so many individuals who still believe in [him]. He will have a spot to go and stay if he ever leaves [the prison]
Jimmy Howard, a supporter of the Williams family, arranged the press conference and spoke with the media. He calls Williams frequently and maintains communication with Williams’ new attorney, Janis Mann. “We need explanations,” Howard said. “We’d like to know what happened to the DNA and where the FBI papers are.” “What are they hiding?” questioned Nicholas Burston, the cousin of Anthony Carter, an Atlanta Child Murders victim. “Did Anthony Make a Difference?” “I don’t believe Anthony Carter belongs among the Atlanta Child Murders victims,” Burston added. “Set Wayne Williams free.”
This article originally appeared in The Atlanta Voice.